Recently Tracy and I just finished watching season two of The Chosen. This exceptional dramatization shows the convincing portrayal of each of the disciples lives as they transform and evolve from characters who have small hopes in life into those who want to do great and mighty things through their journey with Christ. The film does an amazing job of showing that Jesus was fully God and fully man, and that Jesus was immensely relational. His characterization and redeeming love compelled others to follow Him.
When Jesus says in the Gospels, “Follow me,” he is not talking about a physical following only, but a following of desire. Additionally, When Paul writes, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ” (1 Cor 11:1), he is also referring to the imitation of desire. We all choose the type of person we want to be, and we become like the things we imitate. And that’s why Christ not only saves us—he also transforms us.
Jesus walked this earth for 33 years as a human just like you and me. He willingly laid His deity aside and lived as an example for us to follow. Isn’t that just incredible? God could have chosen many other ways or paths to follow in order to give access to Him, but He chose His son. Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross gives us access to the Father and provides the opportunity to have everlasting life. No doubt…the ultimate gift, but let’s not forget the example of Jesus’ life for us while he walked this earth. He gave us a pattern to follow that is relevant to the very situations we face in life today. Yet, many people do not study the life and teachings of Jesus. Additionally, far too many who claim to be Christians, do not consistently apply the teachings and character of Jesus to their own lives.
Is Jesus your model? The following paragraphs are taken from my book The River:
Jesus-Our Model
As a man, Jesus was the model provided for us. He is the standard that we are to compare our lives against. The fact that He choose to lay His deity aside in order to be that example should compel us to know and understand Him better. Consequently, we can look at Jesus’ life as a model of what is possible when men and women are closely connected to the Father.
Does this take anything away from Jesus? Not at all, only the opposite is true. His life being demonstrated as man was intended to compel us to have the same relationship with the Father. You see, if I merely accept the fact that Jesus came to earth for the sole purpose of showing us His deity—then we have missed the point of His ministry on earth. This mindset will only leave us feeling defeated.
You might be asking, why then are we not seeing people healed when we pray as Jesus did? I cannot fully answer that. However, have I seen people healed? Yes. Have I received healing when prayed for? Yes. We are commanded as Jesus’ disciples to heal the sick, cleanse the leapers, raise the dead, and to cast out demons. The command is clear. God’s Word has not changed. What Jesus did for us, and what He demonstrated to us has not changed. Just because we don’t always see the miracle, it does not excuse us to lower the standard (The Bible) based upon our level of experience.
Recently, Tracy and I spent some extended time around the Redding, California area. As we were hiking, we witnessed a man standing in the mountain stream patiently panning for gold. I watched him for several minutes. I wondered how long he had been at it. Had he been there before? Is he finding anything at all—if not, what compels him to so patiently keep trying?
Then as we hiked a little further, we came upon an old, abandoned gold mine shaft, as well as the remains of a historic family estate. The family had mined their fortune in gold from that mountain area long ago. Suddenly I realized why the man in the river was willing to put all the time and effort into swirling each and every pan of silt and water around. You see, he was convinced there was gold there, and it was available to him—all he had to do was keep trying. Maybe some days he got a little, while other days more. And maybe one day he would hit the mother-load again—just as that family did years ago.
Similarly, I too, have a long way to go in my own faith and learning how to be more like Jesus. However, I am convinced that His miraculous power is there for me. So, if I don’t see miracles happen like I hoped they would, I’m not going to stop. I choose not to relinquish God’s Word, His promises, and commandments down to what I experience. In other words, my experience doesn’t dictate God’s Word and what Jesus demonstrated for me to follow. No, it needs to be the other way around. Jesus is my model and He modeled life perfectly as He was so relationally connected to the Father. This inspires me to want to follow His lead. Thank you, Jesus, for not only being The Way, but for showing us the way.
The River, Chapter 2 “Jesus” p. 24-25
You know, everyone is following somebody. It’s true. Many will not readily admit it… men especially tend to think “being a man’s man,” includes not following anyone…including maps or assembly instructions. LOL! Seriously though, some may sincerely say they don’t follow after anyone. But let’s be honest, unless you have the brain of a grape, you make choices every day that demonstrate or show your allegiance to somebodies’ teachings or ideas. We can make our own choices of course—that’s a gift from God—but we choose who to believe or trust thousands of times every single day.
Then why not follow Jesus? I’m not talking about following a religion, that just futile. I’m asking why not follow Jesus, today? I promise you; He deeply loves you, and will accept you just as you are? He has the most amazing, loving, and fulfilling plan for your life…and all of eternity for that matter. Don’t let your pride and the enemy of your soul hold you back from discovering life changing peace. Won’t you invite Him into your heart today?
For those of you who may have already accepted Jesus, but perhaps you have wondered away from your relationship with Him…Or perhaps you have kept Jesus at arms-length, so to speak. I implore you today, don’t waist another minute. You are so missing out, and His arms are wide open to you. God’s blessings to today as you follow Him.
Blessed by The Best,
Mark
P.S. If you need a miracle today, Tracy and I would love to pray for you. Just let us know 😊
See You in the River 