Posted by By Mark Tetley Photo by Austin Neill on Unsplash
We live in a time when people are pushed to be role models. Most of the time anyone in the public eye who receives a large check or is entrusted with great responsibility is expected to serve as a role model.
Jesus Christ told his disciples that He set an example for them to follow (John 13:!5). Often if someone refers to Him outside of church activities it is in reference to how He lived and the example He set. While these things are true they are only a side element of Jesus Christ’s work.
If you want a role model, don’t look at Jesus Christ.
Christ’s mission was to die as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. You see, Jesus wasn’t a role model as we would hope an athlete might be for our children. He was a substitute for you and me. His desire was and is for people to see Him as their Savior and Lord. This is critical to understand if we are to love God and learn to love others.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. 1 Peter 2:24
I have a friend who once witnessed a horrible accident in which she saw a man die who was driving in another car. She said it was like a slow-motion movie scene. Needless to say, it was a very disturbing experience for her. Upon hearing the news another friend knowing how upset she would be, left everything and drove several hours to be with her friend in her time of need. There is no doubt that is a true sign of love.
Jesus Christ came from His rightful place in heaven to be with us, but to do so much more. He came to die in our place. That is how deep His love is for you and me.
Christ was more than a model, for He is the source of the very love that we need to show others. If we are to love others, we have to do more than try to imitate His behavior, we have to receive Him and His greatest act of love for us. Once we start to understand what His love caused Him to do on our behalf, we will find freedom and power to begin loving as He does.
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