The footsteps of Messiah…
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First for an update on my fishing excursions.
I was up at 4:30 a.m. this morning for another jaunt to Cleco Lake. This time Andre, Judy and me were 
going after white perch. The time of compassionate fishing was over. Sure enough, we caught twenty-four beautiful white perch and two channel catfish.
The picture tells the tale. At upper left is Queen Bee Judy, taking over the cleaning job from Andre. Ain’t she pretty. I knew I had to go fishing this morning when Andre told me that he was taking a pretty lady along. Course I knew all the time he was talking about Judy. 
Next to Judy are the two hunks, Andre and papa bear Buddy. Naturally good looks just runs in our family. I’ve always called that the curse of the Martins.
Anyway, the bottom picture is yours truly holding up two of the white perch that we caught. I’m holding them closer to the camera so you’ze can get a good idea of their size.
Now as to who caught what, I really ought to leave that unsaid. But being the gentleman that I am, I think Judy and I (or is it ‘me’. I’m always confused on which word to use) caught maybe five or six a piece, give or take one or two on my part. Andre caught the rest.
Course Andre knew exactly where to put his bait. Fact of the matter is, I distinctly heard Judy tell him that if he didn’t stop catching so many fish, she was going to throw him out of the boat. Now that’s the honest truth. Seems to me that when the Queen Bee speaks, you ought to go to listening.
What does any of this have to do with my journal subject? Not a thing in the world. So, let me share a bit of a devotional study. This is especially for my readers who enjoy studying the Scriptures.
The Footsteps of Messiah
By LAWRENCE E. (BUDDY) MARTIN
The early Jewish believers spoke of their walk with the Lord as “The Way.” (Greek “o hodos.”) The Greek term can mean the road, or, the journey, or even, that way. This term is deeply rooted in 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)
The ancients also used a similar term, iqvot haMashiach, which means the footsteps of Messiah. (Mashiach is Hebrew for Christ.) They taught that the Messiah leaves his footprints in the souls of those who belong to Him. This may sound peculiar to us, but it does give expression to the beauty of a believer’s walk with the Lord.
Listen to Psalm 85:10-13:
“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.”
It is often in Psalms that we find the most beautiful expressions of the Messiah. 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. Yet He was the Lord of glory.
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 
Where the Psalmist says, “Righteousness will go before Him and will make His footsteps into a way” we need to hear the conversation between Jesus and John the Baptist at the River Jordan.
John hesitates to baptize Jesus, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me!”
The Lord responded, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Thus water baptism is seen as belonging to the way.
Jesus walked into our world to meet us, to take us by the hand, and to walk us into His world. 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 (Remember my last entry concerning the mule-headed believer?)
Notice carefully that Jesus says we will “learn from” Him. This can mean no less than Jesus walking with us every step of the journey. We hear this in His final promise to the 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 carried Him to the cross. There his feet were nailed to the wood. Our baptism in water is a picture of the cross. Jesus was taken down and placed in an empty tomb. He arose. He walked out of the grave. He departed from the earth and ascended to the throne of glory.
Did God make his footsteps into a way? Indeed! The Lord Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” He also told the disciples, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now but you will follow later.” John 14:6; 13:36
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. Every child of God has imprinted in his or her soul “the Way.” It is this imprint that keeps us longing for our final destination.
The footsteps of Messiah are eternal. The prophet said, “His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” Micah5:2
The Messiah has always been present in the lives of His people. He has left his footsteps across the sands of history.
Where the ancients said the footsteps of Messiah are in the souls of those who long for Him, this accords with the new covenant. 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
Perhaps what is written about God’s people of long ago best tells the story. It says, “[Abraham] was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
Then again, “But as it is, they [the believers of old] desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.” Cf. Heb11:13-16
So, we are still telling the story — If you are walking with Jesus, you are walking in the footsteps of Messiah.
Think about it,
Blessings,
Buddy
