JESUS, OUR GREAT EXAMPLE

Rev. Barr. Dele Buoro Rev. Barr. Dele Buoro

"For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."

- John 13:15

As Christians, it's important that we understand that one of the aims of God in sending to us His Son is that He (Jesus) might live His life as an example for us to follow. Studying the life of Jesus and striving to live like Him is what really makes us Christians (Acts 11:26); not the names we bear, neither is it because we own a Bible nor still that we go to a Church!

        After washing His disciples feet, Jesus said: " If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an EXAMPLE, THAT YE SHOULD DO AS I HAVE DONE TO YOU " (John 13:14-15)

What's the significance of the example of 'feet washing' as given by Jesus? Simply, it shows how we should relate to one another as disciples of Jesus; that we should take the position of the servant in our dealings with one another. To His disciples, Jesus was both Lord and Master, yet He stooped down to wash His disciples feet, to minister, and to serve them! To the contrary, we often like to choose the position of master, desiring that we be served by others. Many a time, Jesus rebuked His disciples for arguing, striving or contending among themselves on who should be the greatest: Luke 22:24; Mk 9:34-35. Jesus told us He came not to be served but to serve - Matt 20:28. In Lk 22:27, Jesus said also that He was among them as the One who served. Apostle Paul in Phil 2:7, described the Lord Jesus saying that He "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, ..." No doubt, the Lord Jesus remains our GREAT EXAMPLE (Mat 11:29; Jn 13:15; 1Pet 2:21; 1Jn 2:6). The current craving to be master, lord and to be served by others isn't therefore of Christ, is to be avoided and never to be pursued!

         I urge us to be good examples to others as Christ has been to us in humility, with constant eagerness to be of service to others. This is what makes us His true witnesses (Acts 1:8) especially in a dark and crooked world we live in today - Phil 2:14-15.

Have a blessed day!

PRAYER

Dearest Heavenly Father, in Jesus name I thank you for sending Jesus to show me how to live to please you and to be my Great Example to follow in this dark and crooked world that I live in.

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