FOLLOWERS OF JESUS BECOME MORE LIKE HIM

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of
witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin
that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the
race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer
and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured
the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand
of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition
from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
(Hebrews 12:1-3)

MEDITATION:
When we make a life-changing decision to follow the Lord,
it makes sense that we would want to emulate Him, right? The
best way to emulate someone is to observe and understand the
things that are most important to them, isn’t it?

When we know their priorities, then we realize how we must
adjust our own lives in order to become more like them. We
make a conscious effort to alter our own lives so that when
others see us, they get a glimpse of the one we are following.

We are fortunate to have God’s Word which tells us more about
Jesus, and the priorities He had when He walked among us.
    Jesus called them together and said, “You know that
    the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their
    high officials exercise authority over them. Not so
    with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great
    among you must be your servant, and whoever wants
    to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man
    did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his
    life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)

It is simple to understand, but maybe not so easy to make
the changes in our own lives to become more like Jesus.
Jesus said He didn’t come to be served, but to serve
(which included making sacrifices for the benefit of others).

ACTION:
Have you become more of a servant than one who is being served?
What sacrifices have you made in order to benefit others? What
prevents you from thinking more about others than you do yourself?
It doesn’t mean we ignore our own needs, it just means that we find
joy and pleasure in doing things for others, and we are willing to
make sacrifices if needed.

Do you look for ways to encourage and lift the spirits of others?
Have you found ways to assure those serving the Lord that their
efforts are appreciated? If not, this could be a good first step in
learning to serve rather than being served, and in developing the
mindset of Jesus. Don’t procrastinate, but instead, look for
someone you can encourage today.

    Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with
    Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the
    Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete
    by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and
    of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
    Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to
    your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
    In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as
    Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:1-5)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I admit that I have not done a very good job
of trying to emulate Jesus, the one I am following. Forgive me
and help me to make the changes I need to make from this day
forward. Show me how to not only think about creative ways
for serving others, but to also do them (even when serving
may be inconvenient and require a sacrifice of my own time).
Remind me that something as simple as encouragement is
a means of serving which can raise the spirits of someone
who is down and for those who are actively serving You.
Thank You, Jesus, for giving us the example of what being
a child of God should look like.”

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