"Follow His Steps Closely"

 WHY FOLLOW JESUS' FOOTSTEPS?

Following Jesus' footsteps will draw us closer to Jehovah.  Why can we say that? First, Jesus set an outstanding  example of how to live ina way that pleases God.  (John 8:29)  So by following Jesus' footsteps, we will please Jehovah. And we can be sure that our heavenly Father will draw us close to those who try hard to be his friends.  - JAMES 4:8.

Second, Jesus imitated his Father perfectly.  That is why Jesus could say:  "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father also." (John 14:9)  When we  imitate Jesus' qualities and ways of dealing with others-for example, his  pity for a leperm his empathy for a woman with a grievous illness, his compassion for the bereaved-we are imitating Jehovah as well.  (Mark 1:40, 41; 5:25-34; John 11:33-35)   The more we become like Jehovah, the closer we draw to him. 

Following Jesus' footsteps helps us not to be distracted by this wicked world.  On  the final night of his earthly life, Jesus was able to say:  "I have conquered the world." (John 16:33)  He meant hat he had refused to allow himself to be influenced by the thinking, the goa;ls, and ther actions of this world.  Jesus never allowed himself to lose his focus on the earson he was sent to earth-to vindicate Jehovah.  What about us?  In this world, there are many things that could distract us. But if like Jesus, we keep focused on being Jehovah's   on doing Jehovah's will, we  will conquer the world. - 1 JOHN 5:5.

Following Jesus' footsteps leads to everlasting life.   When a rich you man asked what he needed to do to gain everlasting life, Jesus replied:  "Come be my follower." (Matthew 19:16-21)  To some Jews who did not believe that he was the Christ, Jesus said: "My sheep . . . follow e.  I give them everlasting life.: (John 10:24-29) Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin who  became interested in Jesus' teachings, Jesus said that those  "excercising faith in him" would have everlasting life." (John 3:16)  We exercise faith in Jesus by acting on what he taught both by word and by example.  If we do that, we stay on the road to everlasting life. - MATTHEW 7:14.

Next time: "Follow His Steps Closely" - HOW CAN WE FOLLOW JESUS' FOOTSTEPS CLOSELY? 

From the jw.org publications