“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an EXAMPLE, that ye should follow his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21 beautifully records!

Jesus, our Example!

Though I think I must first emphasize that Jesus is our Saviour! We must be born again, washed in the Blood of Jesus. Our sins gone! John 3:7 and Revelation 1:5 are my Proof Texts for these assertions.

Then, truly, we Christians are to follow Jesus. “In His steps,” as Simon Peter just told us.

I want to share a fact with you about the word “example” Scripture just used, the Holy Spirit did.

It is in Greek, as the Lesson Title says, “hupogrammos.” Literally it means a “writing under.”

You might even translate it “underwriting!”

Culturally speaking, it is a term from the Greek schoolroom. The teacher would write a sentence on the board. The students would then (one by one) go to that board and “underwrite” those exact words, form perfect and without error!

That very sentence was their “pattern.” Their “example!” Their pens wrote straight when the letters on the board were straight! And they wrote with slants or curves whenever the letters did as well!

Now, let’s think about Jesus again. He is more than a Sentence. He is the entire Word of God! And I (with the pen of my life) am to follow, to copy, virtually to trace His every Move!

Underwriters … with Jesus being the Perfect Pattern!

And oh, what an “example” He has left us!

The dear Holy Spirit aids in our classroom penmanship, too! He’s making sure that we are being “conformed” into the very image of God’s Son, Who is Jesus Christ the Lord! (See Romans 8:29.)

Let’s get back to class now!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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