JESUS – OUR ETERNAL EXAMPLE

For I have given you an EXAMPLE, that you should do as I have done to you – John 13:15

God has already revealed Himself to mankind through His Son Jesus – “the brightness of His glory and the express image of His Person” (Heb.1:3a). Jesus is the Radiance of God’s Glory and the exact representation of His Being. He is the visible representation of the invisible God. In the Person of Jesus, God walked the earth in human form! He is therefore our Perfect Model in principles, precepts, and practice. Christ left us “an example” that we “should follow His steps” (1 Pet.2:21).

John 13 shows Jesus as our Model in humble Service – Servant-Leadership. He modelled the life of humility and obedience. His absolutely surrendered Life perfectly depicted the Father’s Will (Jh.5:19; 6:38). His obedience extended to what He said and how (Jh.12:49). Paul admonished that we imbibe Christ’s attitude of humility (Phil.2:5-7). He also said: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Cor.11:1). We are to be “an example…in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1Tim.4:12).

PRAYER is Jesus’ priority. He exemplified the Model Prayer Life. He always began with prayer. He taught us the pattern of HOW to pray (Lk.11:1-2). He taught prayer practically: His prayers were real, personal, and passionate (Heb.5:7). He taught persistence in prayer (Lk.18:1-5). He emphasized His private prayer life above public prayer ministry (Lk. 6:12; Mk.1: 35).

PEOPLE are Jesus’ priority. He exemplified Service to those in need around Him. He never turned people away. Acts 10:38 describes “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.” We, as Christians, are also anointed with God’s Spirit and power in order to go around “doing good” as Jesus did!

As we prepare our hearts for the New Year, we are to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb.12:2). Jesus, while on the cross, saw the “Joy” that would result and the Victory that would be His and ours in the end. We too must look by faith through present trials and travails to the triumph that God can, and will, provide in His time!