Follow Jesus Example
(Recipe: Spice Cake)

2011. Can you believe it? Where has the last year gone, and what does this new year have in store for each of us. A number of exciting things occurred during 2010. Our oldest son and his wife celebrated 20 years of marriage. My husband and I celebrated 50 years of marriage. Our youngest son and his wife had a little baby boy born on December 15. 2010 was a good year indeed.

While reading through 1 Peter, one particular verse left me with that “ah-ha” moment. It is found in 1 Peter 2:21 and it reads: “Jesus is my example and I must follow in his steps.” I thought, “what a great verse to apply to 2011.” As I contemplated this verse, the question came to me, “what example did Jesus leave, and what example must I follow?” Scripture lists many, but I have chosen to reflect on six.

1. Matthew 22:39 tells us to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus certainly loved his neighbor. Remember the story of his encounter with the Samaritan Woman at the Well in John 4. Samaritans were not their most loving neighbor, and yet Jesus went out of his way to minister to her. What neighbor might God be calling you to minister to during this coming year? Will you follow Jesus example and go out of your way to do so?

2. Luke 6:31 reads, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Jesus was kind to everyone, and even though people did not treat him with kindness in return, he continued to love them and minister to them. Others may not always treat us kindly either, yet we continue to treat them the way we would want to be treated. Jesus said we should, and it’s his example we are to follow.

3. Philippians 2:8 reminds us: “And being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.” In all of life Jesus was an example of obedience. His obedience took him to the cross. God has given us commands to follow and obey. God tells us in 1 John 5:3, “This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome….” If I claim to love Jesus, I will obey God’s commands – none of which are too hard for me to accomplish.

4. In Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Jesus taught us by example how to forgive, and 1 Peter instructs me to follow in Jesus’ steps. Who do you need to forgive today? Will you take the steps to do so? Follow the example of Jesus.

5. John 13:1b; 5 gives us this account. “…..having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love….he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet….” Jesus left us a wonderful example of what it means to serve others. He humbled himself to wash the dirty feet of his disciples. Why? Because he loved them and was trying to teach them a wonderful lesson, that even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve others. Is there someone God is asking you to serve today?

6. The last words Jesus left us with before he ascended into heaven are found in Acts 1:8. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” Jesus longs for us to walk in his steps when it comes to sharing the Good News with others. Look around your Jerusalem. Who is living there that God is asking you to talk to? Every day of Jesus life he spoke about the Kingdom and the Good News. If we are following the example of Jesus, we will walk in his steps and share the Good News with those around us.

As you begin 2011, begin it with determination that you will let Jesus be your example and you will walk in his steps.

Spice Cake Recipe

Preheat oven to 350
1 box Spice Cake Mix
1 box Instant Vanilla Pudding
½ cup oil
1 cup water
4 eggs

Put all ingredients into a bowl and beat for 2 minutes. Grease a tube pan or 9 x 12 pan. Pour batter into pan. Bake 45-55 minutes. Cool right side up (if using tube pan). When cooled, dust with powdered sugar. Serve topped with whipped cream.