TAKE JESUS, FOR EXAMPLE...

TAKE JESUS, FOR EXAMPLE...

When Jesus was here on earth around 2,000 years ago, one of the wonderful things He did was to set an example in so many ways.  Many do not understand He came to serve in so many capacities, and one facet was to serve as an example; so take Jesus, for example:

1. Suffered in silence - "What think ye?  They answered and said, 'He is guilty of death.' Then did they spit in His face, and buffeted Him; and others smote Him with the palms of their hands, saying, 'Prophesy unto us, Thou Christ, Who is he that smote Thee?'" Matt. 26:66 - 68 (KJV)  "And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand: and they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!'  And they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head." Matt. 27:29 - 30 (KJV)  "And some began to spit on Him, and to cover His face, and to buffet Him, and to say unto Him, 'Prophesy:' and the servants did strike Him with the palms of their hands." Mark 14:65 (KJV)  "And they clothed Him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about His head, and began to salute Him, 'Hail, King of the Jews!'  And they smote Him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon Him, and bowing their knees worshipped Him." Mark 15:17 - 19 (KJV)  "And the men that held Jesus mocked Him, and smote Him.  And when they had blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face, and asked Him, saying, 'Prophesy, who is it that smote Thee?'  And many other things blasphemously spake they against Him." Luke 22:63 - 65 (KJV)  "And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe, and said, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' and they smote Him with their hands." John 19:2 - 3 (KJV)  I must tell you, I am something of a complainer; I confess.  Even on the cross, the seven cries He cried were not complaints, but forgiveness for His accusers and those who crucified Him, hope for the thief who asked Him remembrance, a question of the Father of being forsaken, and if anything be construed as a complaint, that He thirsted.  Could any of us go through all that with only seven things to say, and only to note that we were thirsty for a sole complaint?  We, too, suffer from time to time, but when we suffer at the hands of anyone, do we take it as Jesus did, or do we fight back, mouth off, or moan for all to hear?

2. Forgave without being asked - "When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, 'Woman, where are those thine accusers?  Hath no man condemned thee?'  'No man, Lord.'  And Jesus said unto her, 'Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.'" John 8:10 - 11 (KJV)  "And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.  Then said Jesus, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.'  And they parted His raiment, and cast lots.  And the people stood beholding.  And the rulers also with them derided Him, saying, 'He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He be Christ, the chosen of God." Luke 23:33 - 35 (KJV)  "And, behold, they brought to Him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; 'Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.'" Matt. 9:2 (KJV)  As He taught, so He did.  "So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." Matt. 18:35 (KJV)  Note nobody there asked Him to forgive them, He even did it despite their insolence and disgust in Him while He was on the cross!  This is often another tough example for us to follow.  Some of us would need time to force ourselves to forgive something this extreme, let alone without being asked.  Stephen was the first disciple after Jesus' death to use Christ's example without being asked forgiveness; "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, 'Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.'  And when he had said this, he fell asleep." Acts 7:59-60 (KJV)

3. Showed compassion - "But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." Matt. 9:36 (KJV)  "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick." Matt. 14:14 (KJV)  "Then Jesus called His disciples unto Him, and said, 'I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with Me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.'" Matt. 15:32 (KJV)  "And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, 'What will ye that I shall do unto you?'  They say unto Him, 'Lord, that our eyes may be opened.'  So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him." Matt. 20:32 - 34 (KJV)  "And there came a leper to Him, beseeching Him, and kneeling down to Him, and saying unto Him, 'If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.'  And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, 'I will; be thou clean.'  And as soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed." Mark 1:40 - 42 (KJV)  "And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed Him that he might be with Him.  Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, 'Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.'" Mark 5:18 - 19 (KJV)  The Lord gave us these examples of behavior not only for the reason of being like Him, but also that we might perform acts of compassion which are works worthy of going to heaven (see Matt. 25:31 - 40, James 2:17 - 24).  Not that we are saved by works, but by faith.  James explained in his epistle that the works demonstrate the faith in Christ, and as a two-part ticket, this gets one into heaven.

4. Correctly Taught from Scripture - Jesus often quoted Scripture to give correction and reproof to the errant.  "And when the tempter came to Him, he said, 'If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.'  But He answered and said, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.'" Matt. 4:3 - 4 (KJV)  "Jesus answered and said unto them, 'Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.  But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?"  God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.'" Matt 22:29-32 (KJV)  "And saith unto Him, 'If Thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone.'  Jesus said unto him, 'It is written again, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.'" Matt. 4:6 - 7 (KJV)  "Then he said unto them, 'O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?'  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:25 - 27 (KJV)  "Again, the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto Him, 'All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.'  Then saith Jesus unto him, 'Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve. '" Matt. 4:8 - 10 (KJV)  "Jesus saith unto them, 'Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" Matt. 21:42 (KJV)

5. Humility - "Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself.  After that He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded.  Then cometh He to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto Him, 'Lord, dost thou wash my feet?'" John 13:3 - 6 (KJV)  Normally a servant washes feet; this was considered a lowly task.  Jesus put into action what He preached; "But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matt. 20:26 - 28 (KJV)

6. Adopted Believers As Family - Jesus gave example of whom to call our family as not those who we are biologically related to, for those whom we are associated with in that manner are not always believers.  Since believers realize they are commanded to love one another, these are our family in Christ, family in the same faith in Christ, and so, family in spirit, which is firmer than family in blood.  "Then one said unto Him, 'Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with Thee.'  But He answered and said unto him that told Him, 'Who is My mother?  And who are My brethren?'  And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said, 'Behold My mother and My brethren!  For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.'" Matt. 12:47 - 50 (KJV)

So here we have six examples that Jesus gave us in His own behavior as well as in the teachings He spoke.  Let us behave as He gave example of, adopting fellow believers as family, and treating them so.  Let us humbly be of service one to another, and not to our adopted family in Christ alone, but even to unbelievers, that they might be converted by our behavior toward them, open their heart and their eyes to Christ, and be saved.  When we are asked questions that may be answered from Scripture, let us use it appropriately, and even for those who need reproof, that they might be ashamed, and turn to righteousness.  Let us show compassion where we are able, for many followed Christ because of His compassion; we too should direct them to follow Him because it is our reason for compassion on them!  Let us forgive everyone offenses of all kinds, for even Christ forgave sins of the worst kind, even those His enemies thought not to ask forgiveness for.  And lastly, and usually this is the hardest example He gave us to follow, let us suffer whatever for His sake, as He suffered abuse, ridicule, torture, and death for our sake.  Lord Jesus, bless us with the intestinal fortitude and ability to follow Your example!