Bible Reading: Ezekiel 34-35; 1 Peter 2
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” 1 Peter 2:21 (KJV)
Christ is our model for life and godliness. Howard W Hunter says, “If we are to follow the example of Christ and walk in his footsteps, we must seek to do the same things after the pattern He set.” We are left with serious responsibility to find out the examples of Christ which we should follow in order to align properly with the Master. Christ endured pain and sorrow while doing good for us. You may like to know those things that Christ suffered to purchase redemption for you. He suffered ridicule from the Pharisees. He suffered beatings from the Roman guards. He suffered death on the cross of Calvary for our redemption. No one should forget that we are actually called into something.
There are numerous examples we can follow from Jesus Christ. First, His love for us which made Him to surrender His life for death. Hear how the writer of Hebrews puts it: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrew 12:2 (KJV). We would do well to articulate this and allow it to settle with us every day. Many times we hear of people who say, I can no longer endure this. Ha! Such people need to go to the school of the Lord to learn example of endurance and suffering from the Master.
Jesus Christ modelled how to respond to criticism. Recall uncountable accusations that the Pharisees brought against Him. He was polite in His approach. Though they repeatedly cast stones at Him He always responded in love. Various degrees of insults were hurled at him, yet he did not retaliate. Hear Apostle Peter’s account: “When he was verbally abused, he did not return with an insult, when he suffered, he would not threaten retaliation. Jesus faithfully entrusted himself into the hands of God who judges righteously” 1 Peter 2:23 (TPT). Anytime the seed of retaliation comes on you as a Christian, you should know that you have left His example. Was there any time you allowed this poison to rule your life? Repent of it now!
Another great example to follow from Jesus Christ is the way He interacted with sinners. These Pharisees thought their remarks would detour Him but He stuck to His mission. The Scripture says this: “Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him for she is a sinner” Luke 7:39 (KJV). How many times have you missed the opportunity to reap harvest into the kingdom because of the ‘holier than thou attitude’? If you understand the magnitude of torture and torment that await every unrepentant sinner, you would take up every moment you have to engage them pointing them to the cross.
The examples Jesus Christ left us with are inexhaustible which if we plug into shall not only affect our lives positively but the lives of many people around us. What have you learnt from Jesus? What are you learning from Him? Put them into practice and it shall be well with you in the world.
Prayer: Father, help me never to let go all that I have seen in Christ. Help me to live by those examples for my life to please Him always.
Pastor Joel Ezeugo