In John 13 the writer begins the story of the Last Supper. Jesus met with His disciples and "loved them to the end" (John 13:1). So He got up from supper, took off His outer garment, and washed their feet. Washed their feet! That wasn't the job of a Master, a Rabbi. Ironically, Peter responded, "Lord" (Do you see the irony?) "do You wash my feet?" (John 13:6). What would Jesus do? He would serve. He said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). Jesus came to serve. He also came to "give His life a ransom for many." Paul wrote, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8). He went on to describe us as "enemies" (Rom 5:10). Christ came to die, and not to die for friends. He came to die for sinners and enemies. What would Jesus do? He would die for His enemies. In Philippians we read an overview, as it were.
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Php 2:5-8)What would Jesus do? He would empty Himself. He would model humility.
Jesus did a lot we know about. He fed the hungry. He healed the sick. He comforted sinners. Lots of things we know we should be doing. But if we are being "conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom 8:29) as the ultimate good God is doing (Rom 8:28), then we should be modeling ourselves more and more after Him. That includes doing good to people. That includes seeking to please God. That includes helping needy people. But that also includes loving God's people sacrificially, making being a servant a way of life, loving our enemies, and giving up self. Some of you are probably a lot closer to that than I am. I have a ways to go.
7 comments:
I remember the WWJD craze. It always felt so superficial. On the face of it, there are things Jesus would do that we simply can't. It also fed into the very common (now) belief that Jesus was just a moral example. It's more than what would Jesus do. It's more like who would my Lord have me be.
Is it me, or do a lot of the christians who focus on the social gospel aspects of Jesus ministry seem to lack humility when they talk about what they are doing?
David,
I agree that it could come off as superficial, and likely was. I also felt like reminding someone to take the time and think about what they were doing and what Jesus might do wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
At this point, it seems like there are too many people who've created a Jesus in their own image that they'd assume that their Jesus would want them to do what ever they feel like doing.
Seeing as we have people claiming that Jesus would be at the front of Pride parades, yes, they have created a Jesus in their own image.
Egads, David! I wasn't aware of those misguided assertions (but I'm not surprised)! Jesus was the friend of sinners, but He always called them to "repent and sin no more," did He not? That's how I read scripture! Can't see Him supporting a "Pride" parade no how.
~Lorna~
I can see how “WWJD” could be a bit superficial for many people, i.e. presenting merely a role model for them—true especially for those more interested in merely “being a good person” than being prompted to deeper genuine devotion to Jesus. I interpret the phrase as a reminder that as a follower of Christ, I should emulate Him and His treatment towards others—similar to Paul saying, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ” (I Cor. 11:1). As Stan reminds us, that is our best pursuit always. And yeah, I’m a long ways away from the goal, too.
~Lorna~
I could see Jesus at the front of a pride parade, telling the paraders that they need to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand, and that they should go and sin no more.
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