Why is it hard to follow Jesus' footsteps in the same way as Paul's?
Following Jesus' footsteps in the same manner as Paul's is difficult because Jesus, though human, was also God. A person cannot walk in the steps of God; doing so would be like Peter on the Sea of Galilee—he would sink. Paul, however, was just as human as we are, and Scripture tells believers to follow his example.
Les explains from Philippians 3:17 that Paul, writing to Gentile believers in Philippi, says, "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them who walk so as you have us, Paul, as an example." Les stresses that this does not take anything away from the Lord Jesus. Jesus was a man, not an angel; He walked, ate, talked, and fought the same temptations we do. Yet when Jesus walked the footsteps of Galilee and across the Galilee Sea, He was God. Les says he cannot walk in the steps of God; he would have to be like Peter and go down. Paul, by contrast, was just as human as Les is.