Many people misunderstand the doctrine of following Jesus while trying to copy Jesus exactly. For example, if Jesus washed His disciple’s feet many people do this because Jesus said to wash feet. People don’t know the deep meaning hidden under this foot-wash ceremony, which is to eliminate the presence of sins from a believer’s life. Also, foot wash means nothing if you are not humble enough to respect even your own kids and wife.
Also, we as Christians should see that no disciple in the Gospels or letters copy exactly the same life model as Jesus did but they followed what Jesus said to them in their own circumstances, which clearly shows us that the Will of God is different for each Christian. This does not mean there is something wrong in copying some steps exactly the way Jesus did. However, the point is to follow the teaching of Jesus and find your own pattern of serving the Father in Heaven. Most people are confused about copying and following. They consider that both are the same, but they are not!
The following something or someone means you will learn things about that person but set your own direction in following that pattern. Following does not mean copying exactly the same pattern or footprints.
Paul and many other apostles are good examples, they strongly followed Jesus but they established their own unique ministries. For example, Jesus said, my disciples will do more great things than me “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
John 14:12
If Jesus wanted His disciples to copy Him instead of actually following the instructions or teaching and establishing his or her own ministry, He would never say this that whoever believes in me shall do greater works! We want to show Christians the actual desire and will of Jesus or God the Father is to learn the teaching and follow these commandments instead of simply copying prophets or Jesus!
You might explore the ministry inside of you that is even greater than Paul or even Jesus and it’s not about considering yourself above Jesus or Paul but understanding the ministry or working of the Word of God — the purpose and will of Heavenly Father. Jesus is the name above all names and He is the one who said if we believe in Him we can do greater things than He does. When Jesus was in the boat and sleeping, He wanted to test His disciples and see how much faith they might have developed in God! However, the disciples were not following Jesus. They were learning to copy Him. They feared the storm because of their lack of understanding of the teaching and instruction of Jesus and inability to follow Him.
Similarly even today’s believers are not understanding the depth of following Jesus. They are simply copying prayer methods and Bible reading and performing miracles or healing and never understand that all things will come along with true faith in Jesus! This is the reason when Christians are praying in churches, studying Bibles but not being healed or delivered because they are not truly following Jesus or have faith in Jesus. Having faith means taking action. Faith without action is dead. We have to understand the power of active or living faith. Jesus did not pray for two hours or worship before He commanded the storm to stop!
That day when evening came, He said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as He was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him! Mark 4:35–41
