Walking with Jesus

There is an old song we used to sing at camp and youth group called “Walking with Jesus.” The lyrics are:

Walking with Jesus, walking every day, walking all the way.

Walking with Jesus, walking with Jesus alone.

There’s a little secondary part that says:

Walking in the sunshine, walking in the shadow,

Walking every day, walking all the way.

I believe there is another section, but these are the realities of life. The good and bad. And we are to be walking with Jesus through all of them.

1 John 2:6 (NIV) says, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”

I believe this passage leads us to the question, how did Jesus walk?

Jesus Had a Purpose

Jesus came to earth to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).

Jesus Had an Action Plan

Jesus prayed. All the time. John 17:1-26 is just an example of Jesus’ prayers. There are many occasions where Jesus went away to be alone with God.

Jesus Had a Team

The disciples (Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 9:9-13; Matthew 10:1-42; Acts 9:1-19). This group of trusted men were Jesus’ closest earthly companions. In the end, Jesus trusted these men to carry out His mission. To follow through once Jesus returned to be with His Father.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) tells us Jesus’ last earthly words to this group, “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”

Jesus Trusted God

As the final moments of Jesus’ life approached, Jesus asked for the cup to be removed. But Jesus also trusted that God knew what He was doing and that whatever God willed, it was okay with Jesus. Matthew 26:39 (NIV) says, “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’”

Jesus Had Determination

To follow through with His purpose. His death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 27:32-28:15) secured salvation for mankind. He was determined to complete the task God sent Him to earth to do.

If we use these as guidelines to walk as Jesus did, then we too must have a purpose, an action plan, a team, trust in God, and determination.

Our purpose must be to glorify God. To share His salvation with others. To mature in our relationship with Him.

Our action plan must include prayer.

Our team must include a group of Christian believers and Christ’s Church.

Our trust must be completely in God. That His will in our lives is more important than our own.

Our determination must be to follow through with God’s mission as Jesus did.

These are just a few ways we can walk as Jesus did. When we make the choice, we make a commitment. To walk with Jesus in the sunshine and the shadows. To walk with Jesus all the way.

Perhaps you can think of other ways we can walk as Jesus did. If so, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you. Until then, let’s do some walking with Jesus.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna