To a number of Jesus’ followers, we want to be like him in character. Jesus said in Matthew 11: 29 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. Paul also advised the same when he said of himself in 2 Corinthians 4: 8-10, we are afflicted in every way,… always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. Paul advised that we must strive to attain the perfect character of Christ Jesus.
Paul said further in Colossians 2: 20-23 if with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations… these have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence. Being like Christ Jesus is not by worldly prescriptions and doctrines but by the Holy Spirit. Worldly laws are for self-imposed holiness.
To be like Christ Jesus in character, Paul said in 2 Timothy 2: 3-4, share in the suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer. We must be willing to suffer for Christ Jesus and aim at pleasing Jesus Christ without compromising on the mission that he has sent us but keep focus on our mission.
What was Christ Jesus’ character?
Jesus Christ did precisely what God sent him to do for the world. He said in Matthew 5: 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Jesus said in John 15: 10 if you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. To prove his worthy character, he said in John 10: 37, if I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. What were some of the things Jesus did?
Jesus fulfilled God’s mission
Jesus’ mission was to foremost be the Saviour of the world. Matthew 1: 21-23 says she will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins… and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” His mission was also prophesied by Isaiah and quoted in Luke 4: 18. Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy and said in Matthew 11: 4; Luke 7: 22, “go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” Christ-like people must work to fulfill scripture and God’s mission by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus found solace in God’s house
Jesus said in Luke 2: 49, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? Jesus spent his time reading the scriptures, teaching and sharing scriptures in his Father’s house?” Jesus found peace, divine inspiration and direction with wisdom in God’s house and God’s work. Christ-like people must study and share scripture by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus kept the sanctity of God’s house
Jesus drove away money changers and dove-sellers, and said in John 2: 16, Matthew 21: 13; Mark 11: 17 stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” God’s dwelling is also in our hearts and must be preserved as holy and not a marketplace of evil. Christ-like people must keep our hearts and worship places pure for true worship, not for self-enrichment, cheating, greed or evil gains.
Jesus showed God’s unconditional love
He said in John 13: 34-35 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. See also John 15: 12, 17. Christ-like minded people must submit to the greatest commandment which is love. We must let God’s love always lead us. Jesus’ love made him forgiving. 1 John 1: 9 says if we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all sin. On the cross, he said in Luke 23: 34, Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. Christ-like people must show unconditional love and forgiveness.
Jesus was obedient to God
At the point of death, Jesus said in Matthew 26: 42, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Read also Luke 22: 42. Paul testified of Jesus in Philippians 2: 6-8, though he (Christ Jesus) was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited… he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-even death on a cross. Christ-like people do not exploit people or situations but always maintain their humility to God.
Jesus kept his holiness and purity
Paul said in Hebrews 4: 15 for we have one (Christ Jesus) who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. He further said in 2 Corinthians 5: 21, for our sake he (God) made him (Christ Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Christ-like people must be born of him, and must seek Jesus’ holiness always, 1 John 2: 29.
Jesus was our advocate before God
It is written in 1 John 2: 1 but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Jesus continues to intercede for us. It is recorded in James 5: 16 that, pray for one another. This relates to sickness and the church is indeed very sick with sin and iniquity. Christ-like people must intercede for the world so the world may not perish but be saved.
Jesus sacrificed for all generations
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5: 7 for our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Christ-like people must also sacrifice for others unconditionally. 1 Peter 2: 24 says by his wounds you have been healed. Our wounds and pains because of Christ would heal others also. John 1: 29 says “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! How many people have we brought to Jesus Christ?
If we want to be like Christ Jesus, then we must do what is recorded in Matthew 11: 29-30: “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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” God be with us all in Christ Jesus.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, we desire to be like you but we are inhibited because of sin. Please wash our iniquities in your precious blood and save our souls today. Give us your grace to be like you in holiness and righteousness according to your will. Humble us to always learn from you. we pray in your holy name, Amen!!
