“I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” (Proverbs 4:11-13)

It was a powerful demonstration of His servanthood as the Messiah before His Disciples as Jesus prepared to go to the cross. He washed their feet. This was usually performed for people as they entered the house by the least of the slaves or the servants. Jesus the King of kings and Lord of lords, the promised Messiah, had washed His Disciples feet. Jesus said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:15-17) This was about more than the washing of feet, it was about being a servant of God willing to do whatever God asked of them. Jesus had already said to them, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” (John 12:26)

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to be people who are always learning. The writer of Proverbs says, “I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” (Proverbs 4:11-13) The writer is reminding us that we are to learn the way of wisdom as we travel on a straight path, and with it we can avoid the obstacles along the ways. This will allow us to walk and run on the path and we will not stumble or fall. The writer of Hebrews applies this wisdom as he tells us to follow Jesus. “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1b-3) While the road may be straight, it does have the highs and lows which come as we follow Jesus.

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, we recognize that our path leads us into eternity with Him. He said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28) Following Jesus, we still go through the ups and owns of life, but He is always there to help us and give us the strength we need to keep following on the straight path. Paul encourages us as he writes, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) Let us travel each and every day following the Living Word with our eyes on Him. Keeping on the path with the map of the Written Word giving us instruction every step of the way.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block