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“Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).
Back in the late 1700s and early 1800s there was a famous British admiral named Lord Nelson. He had lost one eye and one of his arms in battle, but continued to win many sea battles. He was extremely well-liked by the sailors who worked under him, for he understood them and led them rather than drove them.
In those days of sailing ships, many younger sailors found it a little frightening to have to climb up the rigging (a network of ropes that held the mast up) to the top of the mast. All this had to be done while the ship was pitching and rolling on the ocean, causing the mast to sway from side to side. Since the mast was often 100 feet high, it was dangerous too.
Often when a young sailor had to “go aloft” for the first time, Lord Nelson would stand with him at the bottom of the mast. “I am going aloft right now,” he would say, “I trust I shall meet you at the top.” Of course a young man with both eyes and both arms would think, “If a man with only one eye and one arm can do it, surely I can too.” Then he would be encouraged to go up, and soon felt comfortable doing it.
The Lord Jesus is like that to us. He has been through every kind of difficulty that a sinless Man could go through, and He is our example. He has gone on before and reached heaven safely. If we follow Him, He will give us the strength to complete the journey too.
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