For to this you were called, be-cause Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should walk in his steps: Who committed no sin, Nor was guile found in His mouth (1 Pet. 2:21,22).

The word here used for "ex-ample" comes from Greek elementary education. It describes the way Greek boys learned to write. The exercise tablet was usually a shallow box filled with soft wax. A student wrote with a sharp stylus that was flat on the opposite end for erasing so the wax could be repeatedly used. The writing master prepared the student's tablet by writing a line at the top to be reproduced by the student and by drawing parallel lines to keep the student's work straight. The master's line at the top was the "pattern" the boy must copy in his own hand in learning to write. Mature skill in handwriting required practice. Peter's words show that Jesus' suffering is not only redemptive. It is also an example that even slaves could imitate in suffering unjust treatment. Jesus as our example suggests four simple facts.

1. Jesus left us the perfect example. He is the perfect "writing copy" we must strive to reproduce in our own life. His sinless perfection is apparent from the couplet quoted from Isaiah 53:9  "Who committed no sin, Nor was guile found in his mouth." While Peter refers especially to Jesus' perfect example of patience in suffering, Isaiah spoke prophetically of the Lord's absolute freedom from sin, as other writers and the history of Jesus' life show. No other human ever lived without sin. Even the most righteous men are examples to others only as they follow Jesus (1 Cor. 11:1). Jesus lived above sin be-cause he had perfect self-control and because he had a perfect consciousness of God, being fully committed to him in all things.

The figure changes in the second clause ("that you should follow his steps") to that of a guide. Jesus leads by his footprints. He is the perfectexample in all that he did and for all we must do in the service of God. He is perfect because "in him there is no sin" (1 Jn. 3:5) and he is our example because he commands us to follow him (Matt. 16:24).

2. Jesus is our example of right conduct. Walking in his steps does not mean that we do so perfectly. We achieve perfection only by the grace and mercy of God through submission to his will (Eph. 2:8-10; Rom. 3:21-26). Nor does it mean that we imitate Jesus in the things he did by virtue of his divine nature, as in receiving the homage of men. Moreover, following him does not require us to do all he did in the service of God. He lived as a Jew under the law of Moses, but we are free from the law (Rom. 7:4). Therefore, we cannot follow him in observing the precepts of Moses. "Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing . . . (and) you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace" (Gal. 5:1-4). How, then, do we follow the example of Jesus?

(a) We imitate his manner of life. This is seen in the specific example Peter gives. We do not suffer on the cross and we cannot die for the sins of others. But following his manner of suffering unjustly for doing right, we catch his spirit and return love for hate. In his relation to God, Jesus put him first and served him faithfully. In his relation to men, he fulfilled every moral precept of the law perfectly. He was loving, compassionate, and merciful. He was gentle, patient, and kind. He was humble, forgiving, and submissive to his Father's will. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Jesus Christ" (Phil. 2:5). "Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt. 11:29).

(b) We follow Jesus in living by his word. Peter connects the example of Jesus to his role as "the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1 Pet. 2:25). The figurative use of "Shepherd" includes the idea of a teacher. "He will feed his flock like a shepherd" (Isa. 40:11). Jesus is not only our perfect example, he is also our perfect instructor. His teaching can no more be separated from his life than his example. We follow him in both. The latter refers to the teaching he left us in the New Testament (Matt. 19:28; Heb. 2:1-4).

3. Jesus intended for us to walk by his example. "For to this were you called . . . that you should walk in his steps." Christians are called to God's service through the gospel for the purpose of imitating Jesus in their lives. Those who think Christianity consists of anything less than imitating his teaching and example have missed the point. Sinners must understand this when they become Christians. "There-fore we were buried with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). And Christians must never forget this commitment: "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2:10).

4. Jesus' example is more than a perfect pattern. Following him brings the blessings that make us perfect in him. It is in following him that we receive the benefits of his death. "... who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness  by whose stripes we were healed" (1 Pet. 2:24). We are saved from the power and punishment of sin when we obey the gospel (Mk. 16:15,16). Our sins are washed away by the blood of Christ when we are baptized into spiritual union with him (Acts 22:16; Rom. 5:9; 6:3,4). It is at this point that we are freed from the dominion of sin. And the hope of being free from the eternal punishment that awaits the unrighteous is a great motivation for us to live "soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world" (Tit. 3:11,14). Jesus not only died to free us from the dominion of sin, but that we might "live for righteousness."

There is another blessing provided by the perfect ex-ample of Christ. "For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1 Pet. 2:25). The title "Shepherd" seems to identify Jesus with Ezekiel's prophecy: "I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them  my servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd" (Ezek. 34:23). Jesus remains the perfect teacher and example for his people, providing them all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet. 2:1-4). "Overseer" is apparently used here in reference to Jesus' protective oversight of those who walk in his steps. Following the perfect example of Jesus gives us assurance of eternal life. "Footprints of Jesus, That make the pathway glow; We will follow the steps of Jesus, Where'er they go."

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII, No. 22, p. 1
December 1, 1994