To: Hebraic-Foundations@yahoogroups.com
From: "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date sent: Wed, 2 Aug 2000 17:53:42 -0500
Subject: HF016 - The Footsteps of the Lord
Hebraics,
In this study I'll give a jumpstart on what I'll be sharing with our
congregation of disciples this Sunday. (This is a much shortened version.)
The study HF016 - The Footsteps of the Lord will concern itself
with the Messiah. Its particular focus is on a term the early Jewish
believers used, which is 'the Way.' The ancients also used a term, 'iqvot
haMashiah,' which means the 'footprints of the Messiah.' I want to tie
some thoughts together with these expressions.
The ancients believed that the Messiah leaves his footprints in the
souls of those who belong to Him, and especially to those who
long for Him. This may sound peculiar to us, but it can be linked to the
prophetic writings, and thereby to the apostolic writings.
Let's begin with Psalm 85:10-13, where the Psalmist says,
"Lovingkindness and truth have met together; righteousness and
peace have kissed each other. Truth springs up from the earth, and
righteousness looks down from heaven. Indeed the Lord will give
what is good, and our land will yield its produce. *Righteousness
will go before Him and will make His footsteps into a way.*" (The *
symbol is for emphasis.)
As I said before, one of the terms used to express the faith of early
Jewish believers was simply 'The Way.' (Greek 'o hodos.') The Greek term
can mean 'the road,' or 'the journey,' or even 'that way.' But the term is
rooted deeply in the prophetic writings. Because of its Messianic
overtones it was taken up very early by Jewish believers with regard to
their walk with the Lord. (You find references to 'the Way' in Acts 9:2;
19:23; 24:22)
Very often it is in the prophetic Psalms that you find the most
beautiful expressions of the Messiah that are to be found. Our
initial Scripture reference is just one example. Place this portion of
Scriptures beside the baptism scene of Jesus, and you see some of its
fulfillment.
Where it says, "Truth springs from the earth," this surely speaks of
Jesus. Isaiah 11:1 says, "Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots will bear fruit." Jesus was every bit a man.
His body was an earthly body just like ours.
Where it says, "Righteousness looks down from heaven," this
would relate to the voice that came out of heaven; "This is My
beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." (Matt3:17) (For the sake
of studying Scriptures you have to set aside terms 'trinity' and
'oneness' and just let the Scriptures speak for themselves.)
Now note where the Psalmist says, "Righteousness will go before
Him and will make His footsteps into a way." (In the NASB 'Him' and
'His' are capitalized as they should be. In my opinion.)
To appreciate this we need to hear the conversation between Jesus
and John the Baptist at the River Jordan. John hesitates to baptize
Jesus, and says," I have need to be baptized by You, and do You
come to me!" How did the Lord respond? Jesus said, "Permit it at
this time; for in *this way* it is fitting for us to fulfill all
righteousness."
Jesus walked into our world to meet us, and to take us by the
hand, and to walk us into His world. This is where the footsteps of
the Lord can be seen in the outwalking of our Christian experience.
This is the yoke experience. Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you
and learn *from* Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you
will find rest for your souls." (Matt11:29)
Notice carefully that Jesus says that we will "learn from [Him].*
This can mean no less that Jesus walking with us every step of the
journey. Surely this is true. And this was His final promise to the
original disciples; "I am with you always, even to the end of the
age." (Matt28:20)
Why was Jesus baptized in water? To fulfill righteousness. Why
are we baptized in water? To follow in His footsteps. Where do the
footsteps of Jesus take us? Keep in mind that the Psalmist said,
"Righteousness will go before Him and will make His footsteps into
a way."
The footsteps of Jesus eventually carried Him to the cross. There
his feet were nailed to the wood. He was taken down and placed in
an empty tomb. But from there, where? He arose. He walked out of
the grave. Where from there? He departed from the earth and
ascended to the throne of glory.
Did God make his footsteps into a way? Indeed! Jesus said, "I am
the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but
through Me." (I think way, truth, and life should be capitalized.)
Does the Lord not pass us through the cross and to our final
destination and placement in His eternal kingdom? Yes, a
thousand times yes. I believe every child of God has imprinted in
his or her soul 'the Way.' I believe it is this imprint that keeps us
longing for our final destination. Paul says each of us has some of heaven
in us as a deposit. (Loosely paraphrased.)
The ancients said the footprints of the Messiah is in the soul of
those who long for Him. Does this not sound very Christian? Paul
said, "In the future there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not
to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2Tim4:8) One
of the hallmarks of a true Biblical believer is this inward longing for
Jesus.
But the footsteps of the Lord go back into the eternities. The
prophet said, "His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of
eternity." (Micah5:2)
It seems the Messiah has always been present in the lives of His
people, at least in one form or another. He has left his footprints all
across the sands of history.
Let me stop for now. Meditate on this. Is there anything you would
like to add.
Shalom in Christ,
Buddy
Lawrence E. (Buddy) Martin, HF Host
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org