Sárospataki Füzetek 20. (2016)

2016 / 2. szám - MISCELLANEOUS / SONSTIGES - Rob van Houwelingen: Follow int he Steps of Christ

Follow in the steps of Christ

This scene brings the gospel of John to an end. Peter must follow, without looking back at his friend John. But Jesus disappears from view, and all that remains is a few footprints in the sand.

Learning by imitation

Following Jesus on earth is something different from following Jesus after he has gone to heaven. From here on, the New Testament begins to use another, less physical verb: mimeisthai, ‘to mimic, to act in the same manner’. Hence: learning by imitation, just as small children, by mimicking their parents in everyday activities, learn for themselves how they ought to be done.

Moreover, the New Testament shows us others, additional to Christ, who also act as examples. One of these is the apostle Paul. When teaching the Corinthians that they ought to seek the interests of others, setting all self-interest aside, he writes: “Be imitators of me, as I am ofChrisf (I Corinthians 11:1). There are many believers who can be role-models for others: think of the examples of faith from the Old Testament (Hebrews 11), of Paul’s fellow-workers (Philippians 3:17), or of the leaders of the church in Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:7). The example of such believers can serve to encourage each one of us. That is how we as Christians can serve as the hands and feet of Christ in this world. At the same time, we must fix our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Footprints

Seen against this background, it is striking that Peter speaks to domestic servants in Asia Minor as if they can literally walk in Jesus footsteps. Domestic servants had to take care of everyday things: cooking, cleaning, caring for children, and working in the fields or businesses of their owners. Peter advises them: “Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust” (I Peter 2:18).

Domestic servants were slaves, dependent on their masters. Some of these were harsh. Without cause or provocation, you were liable to get a thrashing, or worse. Were that to happen, says Peter, you must learn to suffer as a Christian, and hold the concrete example of the suffering Christ before you. He did not take refuge in lies or deceit; when he was reviled, he did not retaliate; he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. Follow in his steps, says Peter, and strikingly, he uses the word akolouthein, the verb that generally is found only in the gospels. It is as if domestic slaves, of all people, are most able to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

Of course, Peter realizes only too well that the situation is no longer as it once was. His readers do not live in Israel, and Jesus is in heaven. Still, a trace remains of him, something that transcends time and space. Literally, Peter speaks of an ‘example’ (in Greek: hupogrammos, a writing template, used for copying letters) that Jesus ‘left you’. He has departed from this earth, but his footprints, as it were, are still visible in the sand. Follow that path!

2016-2 Sárospataki Füzetek 20. évfolyam 97