The first book of the Bible tells us that God was pleased with the way he had made his creation, including man: “Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way” (Genesis 1:31).
The apostle Paul explains further: “From one man (i.e. Adam) he created all the nations throughout the whole earth” (Acts 17:26).
Genesis continues to recount the story of the start of man’s rebellion against God. It begins with the way Satan - in the appearance of a serpent - questions God’s trustworthiness: “Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the LORD God had made. ‘Really?’ he asked the woman (i.e. Eve, Adam's wife). ‘Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?’” (Genesis 3:1).
From Eve’s answer it is clear that she knew what God had said: “‘Of course we may eat it,’ the woman told him. ‘It's only the fruit from the tree at the center of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we will die’” (Genesis 3:2).
Next Satan starts to denounce God as a liar and adversary in an attempt to destroy the personal and loving relationship between man and God: “‘You won't die!’ the serpent hissed. ‘God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it...’” (Genesis 3:4-5).
Then Satan tries to set man up against God. He seduces man with the enticement to become a ‘god’ himself: “You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil” (Genesis 3:5).
We continue to read that man yielded to Satan’s temptation to become an autonomous being, a ‘god’ in his own right. In doing so man, changed his allegiance: he put himself under Satan’s dominance and became a rebel, resisting God’s authority.
Consequently, man could not remain in God’s pure and holy presence anymore. The personal and intimate relationship between God and man was dead. His pure and true love for God (“with all his heart, all his soul, and all his mind”) was gone.
The apostle Paul elucidates this story when he says: “When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned" (Romans 5:12).
Yet, Genesis tells us also that God continues to love us in spite of our rebellion; he had already promised Adam and Eve a future mediator who would rescue man from the dominion of Satan, darkness and death.
The apostle John explains: “He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work” (1 John 3:8).
The apostle Paul points to the salvation of our rebellious heart and to the liberation from Satan’s domination, when he jubilates: “He (i.e. God) has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). That is a transformation which all true followers of Jesus have experienced.
So, who is Satan or the devil? Does he really exist? Next time we will see what the Bible tells us about him.
All Bible verses are quoted from the ‘New Living Translation’, except 1 John 3:8 (‘New International Version’).
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
18. INTERRUPTION (a) -- WE ARE MADE IN JESUS’ IMAGE !
Before we ask ourselves the question if we can live a perfect ‘life of love’ like Jesus did, we must see what the Bible says about the origin of man.
In the first book of the Bible, Genesis 1:26-27 we read: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness...’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:26-27).
God created man in his own image so that we could have a direct relationship with him, but we were not created as divine beings. In Genesis 2:7 we read: “The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7).
We just read in Genesis 1:26: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness...” The One God expresses himself here in the plural. That means that man originally was created in the image of God the Father, God the Son, Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit.
The apostle Paul explains: “Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see … Everything has been created through him and for him. He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together.”
(Colossians 1:16-17)
(About Jesus Christ as the Son of God see Meditations 2 and 3).
So, if we are created in the image and likeness of God the Son, Jesus Christ, why don’t we live such a perfect ‘life of love’ as Jesus did? Let’s think about that question next week.
All Bible verses are quoted from the ‘New International Version’ except Colossians 1:16-17 (‘New Living Translation’).
In the first book of the Bible, Genesis 1:26-27 we read: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness...’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:26-27).
God created man in his own image so that we could have a direct relationship with him, but we were not created as divine beings. In Genesis 2:7 we read: “The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7).
We just read in Genesis 1:26: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness...” The One God expresses himself here in the plural. That means that man originally was created in the image of God the Father, God the Son, Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit.
The apostle Paul explains: “Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see … Everything has been created through him and for him. He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together.”
(Colossians 1:16-17)
(About Jesus Christ as the Son of God see Meditations 2 and 3).
So, if we are created in the image and likeness of God the Son, Jesus Christ, why don’t we live such a perfect ‘life of love’ as Jesus did? Let’s think about that question next week.
All Bible verses are quoted from the ‘New International Version’ except Colossians 1:16-17 (‘New Living Translation’).
Friday, May 28, 2010
17. LOOKING INTO JESUS’ HEART : HIS LOVE FOR MAN
In Meditation 15 we saw that Jesus summarises the divine criteria for human life as follows: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets (i.e. the entire Old Testament) hang on these two commandments”
(Matthew 22:37-40).
Then we looked at the way Jesus lived up to the first and greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). In fulfilling this commandment unconditionally during his life on earth, Jesus showed us how we ought to relate to our Creator.
Today we want to see how Jesus observed the equally important, second commandment: "Love your neighbour as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). In the famous parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus indicates that our neighbour is “the one who is in need of our help”, be it friend or foe (see Luke 10:29-37).
During his three-years’ ministry on earth, he showed us what his love and compassion for friend and foe looked like: “The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor” (Matthew 11:5).
Jesus was filled with compassion for the untouchables, the grief-stricken and those with broken hearts and broken bodies. Matthew writes how “Jesus travelled throughout Galilee teaching in the synagogues, preaching everywhere the Good News about the Kingdom (of God). And he healed people who had every kind of sickness and disease. News about him spread far beyond the borders of Galilee so that the sick were soon coming to be healed from as far away as Syria. And whatever their illness and pain, or if they were possessed by demons, or were epileptics, or were paralysed-- he healed them all” (Matthew 4:23-24).
He was a defender of the rights of the downtrodden, ate with outcasts and associated with the scum of society. Therefore Jesus lectured the religious hypocrites of his days by saying, “And I, the Son of Man, feast and drink, and you say, 'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst sort of sinners!’” (Matthew 11:19).
The evangelist Luke summarises Jesus’ work on earth with the following words: “And no doubt you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him” (Acts 10:38).
Jesus told us what love was all about when he said: “For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
He showed that true love even reaches out to foes. Therefore He instructed the crowds by saying: “Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5:44). And he himself gave the example when he prayed to his heavenly Father for those who crucified him: “Father, forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).
Finally, the apostle Paul encourages the followers of Jesus in Ephesus: “Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).
As Jesus lived the true human life, we are left with the question: Can we live such a ‘Christlike life of love’ in our relationship to God and our fellow man? That will be the theme for the coming meditations.
All Bible verses are quoted from the ‘New Living Translation’, except Ephesians 5:2 (‘New International Version’).
(Matthew 22:37-40).
Then we looked at the way Jesus lived up to the first and greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). In fulfilling this commandment unconditionally during his life on earth, Jesus showed us how we ought to relate to our Creator.
Today we want to see how Jesus observed the equally important, second commandment: "Love your neighbour as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). In the famous parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus indicates that our neighbour is “the one who is in need of our help”, be it friend or foe (see Luke 10:29-37).
During his three-years’ ministry on earth, he showed us what his love and compassion for friend and foe looked like: “The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor” (Matthew 11:5).
Jesus was filled with compassion for the untouchables, the grief-stricken and those with broken hearts and broken bodies. Matthew writes how “Jesus travelled throughout Galilee teaching in the synagogues, preaching everywhere the Good News about the Kingdom (of God). And he healed people who had every kind of sickness and disease. News about him spread far beyond the borders of Galilee so that the sick were soon coming to be healed from as far away as Syria. And whatever their illness and pain, or if they were possessed by demons, or were epileptics, or were paralysed-- he healed them all” (Matthew 4:23-24).
He was a defender of the rights of the downtrodden, ate with outcasts and associated with the scum of society. Therefore Jesus lectured the religious hypocrites of his days by saying, “And I, the Son of Man, feast and drink, and you say, 'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst sort of sinners!’” (Matthew 11:19).
The evangelist Luke summarises Jesus’ work on earth with the following words: “And no doubt you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him” (Acts 10:38).
Jesus told us what love was all about when he said: “For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
He showed that true love even reaches out to foes. Therefore He instructed the crowds by saying: “Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5:44). And he himself gave the example when he prayed to his heavenly Father for those who crucified him: “Father, forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).
Finally, the apostle Paul encourages the followers of Jesus in Ephesus: “Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).
As Jesus lived the true human life, we are left with the question: Can we live such a ‘Christlike life of love’ in our relationship to God and our fellow man? That will be the theme for the coming meditations.
All Bible verses are quoted from the ‘New Living Translation’, except Ephesians 5:2 (‘New International Version’).
Friday, April 30, 2010
16. LOOKING INTO JESUS’ HEART: GOD’S LOVE FOR HIS SON
Not only does Jesus love his heavenly Father in wholehearted and self-sacrificing obedience, as we saw in Meditation 15 but the Bible also shows us how much the Father loves his devout Son.
Already 700 years before Jesus’ first arrival in our world, God had indicated the future messianic ministry of his Son. He announced by his prophet Isaiah: "Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, and I am very pleased with him. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations” (Isaiah 42:1 and Matthew 12:18. See also Meditation 9).
After Jesus’ baptism and anointing with God’s Spirit - before the start of his Earthly ministry - a voice from heaven said to him: “You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you” (Luke 3:22).
In a remarkable message, John the Baptist speaks about Jesus and explains to his followers: “He (i.e. Jesus) has come from above and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the things of earth, but he has come from heaven. He tells what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Those who believe him discover that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God's Spirit is upon him without measure or limit. The Father loves his Son, and he has given him authority over everything” (John 3:31-35).
During Jesus’ 'transfiguration', not long before his eventual suffering and sacrificial death, a voice from heaven speaks again of Jesus, saying: “This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with him. Listen to him” (Matthew 17:5).
During his earthly ministry, Jesus discloses to the Jewish religious leaders how intimate is the loving relationship between himself and his heavenly Father: "I assure you, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and tells him everything he is doing...” (John 5:19-20).
On the evening before his death, Jesus professes his love to his friends. He assures them that his love for them is the same divine love which the Father has for him: "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love” (John 15:9-10. See also Meditation 13).
That night Jesus assures his heavenly Father that he will continue to demonstrate God’s love for his friends: “I have revealed you to them and will keep on revealing you. I will do this so that your love for me may be in them...” (John 17:26).
So, if we live as Jesus lived, and if we love God as Jesus did, we will experience God’s love as Jesus experienced it. That is Jesus’ promise!
All Bible verses are quoted from the ‘New Living Translation’.
Already 700 years before Jesus’ first arrival in our world, God had indicated the future messianic ministry of his Son. He announced by his prophet Isaiah: "Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, and I am very pleased with him. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations” (Isaiah 42:1 and Matthew 12:18. See also Meditation 9).
After Jesus’ baptism and anointing with God’s Spirit - before the start of his Earthly ministry - a voice from heaven said to him: “You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you” (Luke 3:22).
In a remarkable message, John the Baptist speaks about Jesus and explains to his followers: “He (i.e. Jesus) has come from above and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the things of earth, but he has come from heaven. He tells what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Those who believe him discover that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God's Spirit is upon him without measure or limit. The Father loves his Son, and he has given him authority over everything” (John 3:31-35).
During Jesus’ 'transfiguration', not long before his eventual suffering and sacrificial death, a voice from heaven speaks again of Jesus, saying: “This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with him. Listen to him” (Matthew 17:5).
During his earthly ministry, Jesus discloses to the Jewish religious leaders how intimate is the loving relationship between himself and his heavenly Father: "I assure you, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and tells him everything he is doing...” (John 5:19-20).
On the evening before his death, Jesus professes his love to his friends. He assures them that his love for them is the same divine love which the Father has for him: "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love” (John 15:9-10. See also Meditation 13).
That night Jesus assures his heavenly Father that he will continue to demonstrate God’s love for his friends: “I have revealed you to them and will keep on revealing you. I will do this so that your love for me may be in them...” (John 17:26).
So, if we live as Jesus lived, and if we love God as Jesus did, we will experience God’s love as Jesus experienced it. That is Jesus’ promise!
All Bible verses are quoted from the ‘New Living Translation’.
Friday, April 23, 2010
15. LOOKING INTO JESUS’ HEART : HIS LOVE FOR GOD
The first thing that strikes us when we look at Jesus, is that he embodies the way God wants us to live. (See meditation 13).
He summarises the divine criteria for human life as follows: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets (i.e. the Old Testament) hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40).
True and pure love is the essence of Jesus’ life, and it is in that way that he reflects the heart of his heavenly Father for “God is love...” (1 John 4:16).
The apostle John tells us that Jesus’ first coming into the world is the greatest demonstration of God’s love: “God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10)
In his earthly life and sacrificial death, Jesus showed us how true and pure love is displayed in practice.
In our meditation today we want to look at God’s first commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” ( Matthew 22:37-38).
How did Jesus live up to that commandment?
Jesus said of himself: “... I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father.” (John 14:31).
He told the listening crowd: “... I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do what I want.” (John 6:38)
To his disciples Jesus openly explained what drove him: “My food ... is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34). In meditation 5 we saw what that meant in practice.
In his wholehearted and self-sacrificing obedience to his heavenly Father, Jesus showed us how we should love God “with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind.” That is the life God created us for.
All Bible verses are quoted from the ‘New Living Translation’, except Matthew 22:37-40 and John 4:34 (‘New International Version’).
He summarises the divine criteria for human life as follows: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets (i.e. the Old Testament) hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40).
True and pure love is the essence of Jesus’ life, and it is in that way that he reflects the heart of his heavenly Father for “God is love...” (1 John 4:16).
The apostle John tells us that Jesus’ first coming into the world is the greatest demonstration of God’s love: “God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10)
In his earthly life and sacrificial death, Jesus showed us how true and pure love is displayed in practice.
In our meditation today we want to look at God’s first commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” ( Matthew 22:37-38).
How did Jesus live up to that commandment?
Jesus said of himself: “... I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father.” (John 14:31).
He told the listening crowd: “... I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do what I want.” (John 6:38)
To his disciples Jesus openly explained what drove him: “My food ... is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34). In meditation 5 we saw what that meant in practice.
In his wholehearted and self-sacrificing obedience to his heavenly Father, Jesus showed us how we should love God “with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind.” That is the life God created us for.
All Bible verses are quoted from the ‘New Living Translation’, except Matthew 22:37-40 and John 4:34 (‘New International Version’).
Friday, April 9, 2010
14. JESUS CHRIST RESEMBLES HIS FATHER !
The Bible is clear about the fact that, apart from Jesus Christ, “no one has ever seen God...” (John 1:18). It is Jesus himself who, during his life on earth, told us a lot about his Father in heaven. The apostle John continues by saying: “... but his only Son, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart; he has told us about him.” (John 1:18).
Jesus has not only spoken extensively about his heavenly Father (see the Gospels). Being God’s Son, he also looks like his Father! He has the character of his Father! Jesus said: “The Father and I are one.” (John 10:30). Furthermore, he explained: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!” (John 14:9).
The apostle Paul reveals in his letter to the Christians in Colossae that “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.” (Colossians 1:15).
Speaking about Jesus Christ, the anonymous ‘Letter to the Hebrews’ starts with the declaration: “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being...” (Hebrews 1:3).
To the Christians in the Greek town of Corinth the apostle Paul writes: “... Christ is the exact likeness of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4).
What all these biblical texts are saying is that, when we look at Jesus’ character we begin to understand more about who God is.
And thinking of Meditation 13, it starts to dawn on us that looking at Jesus’ character helps us discover how he wants us to live. So then, let us start our journey of discovery!
All Bible verses are quoted from the ‘New Living Translation’, except Hebrews 1:3 (‘New International Version’).
Jesus has not only spoken extensively about his heavenly Father (see the Gospels). Being God’s Son, he also looks like his Father! He has the character of his Father! Jesus said: “The Father and I are one.” (John 10:30). Furthermore, he explained: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!” (John 14:9).
The apostle Paul reveals in his letter to the Christians in Colossae that “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.” (Colossians 1:15).
Speaking about Jesus Christ, the anonymous ‘Letter to the Hebrews’ starts with the declaration: “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being...” (Hebrews 1:3).
To the Christians in the Greek town of Corinth the apostle Paul writes: “... Christ is the exact likeness of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4).
What all these biblical texts are saying is that, when we look at Jesus’ character we begin to understand more about who God is.
And thinking of Meditation 13, it starts to dawn on us that looking at Jesus’ character helps us discover how he wants us to live. So then, let us start our journey of discovery!
All Bible verses are quoted from the ‘New Living Translation’, except Hebrews 1:3 (‘New International Version’).
Friday, April 2, 2010
13. LIVE LIKE JESUS, ACT LIKE JESUS !
In the first 12 meditations we saw a little of what the Bible tells us about Jesus. After our short exploration of his life and ministry, we might wonder what the Bible wants us to do with this knowledge.
The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in the Greek town of Philippi: “Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had.” – Philippians 2:5 (*). In other words, they should think and act like Jesus.
Paul encourages the church in Ephesus with the following words: “Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins.” – Ephesians 5:2 (*)
For the Christian community in Rome the apostle Paul desires: “May God ... help you live in complete harmony with each other-- each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other.” – Romans 15:5 (*)
The apostle Peter writes to Christians who suffer persecution: “This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps.” – 1 Peter 2:21 (*)
The apostle Paul encourages Christians to live the way he lives: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
– 1 Corinthians 11:1 (**)
Jesus himself invites us to learn from him how to live: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:29 (**). In Jesus’ days, “taking someone’s yoke upon you”, meant accepting someone being your teacher.
In his story of Jesus’ life and ministry, the apostle John takes us to the Passover celebration in Jerusalem on the evening before Jesus’ death. At the start of the meal, Jesus voluntarily does the work which a slave in those days would have done: he humbly washes away the dirt from his friends’ feet. Afterwards he encourages them by saying: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.” – John 13:14 (**)
Years later, the same John declares in his first letter: “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did.” – 1 John 2:6 (*).
All these biblical texts leave us with questions such as:
- If I should live and act like Jesus, how did Jesus live?
- Is there any chance whatever that I could live and act like Jesus?
- If yes, then how could I learn to live like him?
- How could our church or Christian community learn to live and act like Jesus?
Let’s look into these and other questions in the forthcoming meditations.
Biblical quotations: (*) New Living Translation, (**) New International Version.
The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in the Greek town of Philippi: “Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had.” – Philippians 2:5 (*). In other words, they should think and act like Jesus.
Paul encourages the church in Ephesus with the following words: “Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins.” – Ephesians 5:2 (*)
For the Christian community in Rome the apostle Paul desires: “May God ... help you live in complete harmony with each other-- each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other.” – Romans 15:5 (*)
The apostle Peter writes to Christians who suffer persecution: “This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps.” – 1 Peter 2:21 (*)
The apostle Paul encourages Christians to live the way he lives: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
– 1 Corinthians 11:1 (**)
Jesus himself invites us to learn from him how to live: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:29 (**). In Jesus’ days, “taking someone’s yoke upon you”, meant accepting someone being your teacher.
In his story of Jesus’ life and ministry, the apostle John takes us to the Passover celebration in Jerusalem on the evening before Jesus’ death. At the start of the meal, Jesus voluntarily does the work which a slave in those days would have done: he humbly washes away the dirt from his friends’ feet. Afterwards he encourages them by saying: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.” – John 13:14 (**)
Years later, the same John declares in his first letter: “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did.” – 1 John 2:6 (*).
All these biblical texts leave us with questions such as:
- If I should live and act like Jesus, how did Jesus live?
- Is there any chance whatever that I could live and act like Jesus?
- If yes, then how could I learn to live like him?
- How could our church or Christian community learn to live and act like Jesus?
Let’s look into these and other questions in the forthcoming meditations.
Biblical quotations: (*) New Living Translation, (**) New International Version.
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