Biblical Reflections · Christian Life
Whose example should we follow?
8 min read, approximately
Matthew 20:25-28 (Example)
“Then Jesus called them and said: You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you will be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
When we were little, we probably played at being the best superhero with our friends. We chose that superhero because he had qualities we thought were phenomenal. Yet most people take celebrities, singers, and movie stars as their models, loudly saying, “I want to be like that person”, without realizing that behind what we see, behind the curtain… some of them lead empty lives, lives of appearances, trying to find happiness. Some fall into drugs, alcohol, and every kind of pleasure, or simply end up taking their own lives. Should we take these people as our examples?
“… they are blind guides of the blind; and if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the pit.” (Matthew 15:14)
Be careful!
“Above everything you guard, guard your heart, for life flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Excuses at every stage of life
What can we expect from a child, young person, or adult who spends more time consuming media than meditating on the Bible? A good example?
Do we reach for every excuse we can think of at each stage of life when someone speaks to us about following Christ? Let us see:
\1. As children: ‘Christ?! But he is only a child and does not understand… He will grow up and learn.’
“Then some children were brought to him so that he might lay his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said: Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:13-14)
“Train a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
\2. As young people: ‘Christ?! He is young, and doing young people’s things matters more to him.’
“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come and the years arrive of which you say: I have no pleasure in them.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
“How can a young person keep his way pure? By keeping your word.” (Psalms 119:9)
\3. As older people: ‘Christ?! I am too old for that now.’
“O God, you have taught me since my youth, and until now I have proclaimed your wonders. Even in old age and gray hair, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your power to the next generation and your might to all who are to come.” (Psalms 71:17-18)
\4. And for all of us
“Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children. Walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (Ephesians 5:1-3)
Does that mean we cannot imitate anything about anyone?
“Beloved, do not imitate evil, but good. Whoever does good is of God, but whoever does evil has not seen God.” (3 John 1:11)
Christ
All right, but why should I take Christ as my example and imitate him?… How about I show you through God’s Word what he was like, so that we can reflect, consider, and make our own decision? What do you think?
\1. Compassionate and a healer
“When Jesus went out, he saw a great crowd, had compassion on them, and healed those among them who were sick.” (Matthew 14:14)
\2. He showed no partiality
“When the scribes and Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and sinners, they said to the disciples: Why does he eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners? Hearing this, Jesus said to them: The healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:16-17)
\3. He came to serve and give his life as payment for our freedom
“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)
\4. He listened and responded
“Two blind men sitting beside the road heard that Jesus was passing by and cried out: Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us! The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more: Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us! Jesus stopped, called them, and said: What do you want me to do for you?” (Matthew 20:30-32)
\5. He asked forgiveness for those who harmed him
“Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. And they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots.” (Luke 23:34)
\6. He loved to pray
“His fame spread more and more, and large crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their illnesses. But he withdrew to deserted places and prayed.” (Luke 5:15-16)
\7. He did not sin; he suffered and endured for us
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example so that you should follow his footsteps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When he was insulted, he did not respond with insults; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but entrusted his cause to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that, dead to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wound you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:21-24)
\8. He became poor so that we might become rich
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that through his poverty you might be enriched.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)
\9. He came to give us eternal life
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17)
\10. He paid with his life, dying for us
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
\11. He was buried but rose on the third day
“For I taught you first what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he rose on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
\12. He ascended into heaven
“While he was blessing them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. After worshiping him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.” (Luke 24:50-53)
\13. And sat at the Father’s right hand
“After the Lord had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19)
\14. And now he intercedes for us
“My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone has sinned, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1)
A summary?
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to cling to, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant and becoming like human beings. Found in human condition, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore God also exalted him to the highest place and gave him a name above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)
What do we think now? Is it worth taking Jesus as our example, or should we keep following the examples around us?
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May God continue to bless you, and may you keep having an excellent day in Christ Jesus!