The Role Model

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

Do you have any children? If you do then you probably know the importance of setting a good example for them to follow. This is something that not all children have growing up, and are instead influenced in a negative way by others around them. How many children end up in a juvenile detention facility for illegal activities that they have done? And what is a leading cause of this type of activity? Bad role models. Bad influences. Choosing the wrong kind of friends who also fuel that desire to do wrong things. Now, it is not always the parents who are to blame for their child’s actions because it ultimately comes down to the child themselves if they are rebellious or not, but a kind, loving parent can set a solid foundation for a child by showing them by their actions the way to live.

Just like an earthly parent, Jesus loves each and every one of us and He wants us to grow up to be strong, holy servants of God who live in love towards each other, and He wants us to follow the way that He lived.

John 13:1-17  “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

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.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”

Through the example that Jesus has shown we can have a clear image of what we ourselves should be as well. Whatever qualities that Jesus displayed are the same qualities that should be exemplified in our own life. 

What are some of these qualities? They are the qualities of kindness, love, forgiveness, mercy and grace. These qualities Jesus showed every day as He walked from city to city. Everywhere He went He healed the sick, having mercy upon others and cleansing them from their infirmities. Everywhere He went, Jesus gave His forgiveness to those who came asking for it. By His life Jesus showed that love for God always needs to be first, over even your love for those closest to you in your own family.

There are many different “role models” that people may try to mimic or be like, but there is only One who they should look to for this kind of example, and that is Jesus.

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1 Peter 2:21  “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”

All that we need to do is look at how Jesus lived His life and mirror that. Just like the childhood game of “follow the leader” we need to follow Christ and His teachings. We need to have Him as our role model. So… is He yours?

In Christ,

Andrew