A preacher decided to play a game with some young children at a VBS with many adults watching. He told the little kids that he wanted them to act like whatever he said. First, he told them to act like dogs. Some barked, others howled, while others crawled around on all fours.
Next, he told them to act like rabbits. So, they wriggled their mouths around and hopped around like rabbits. He then asked them to act like chickens. So, they clucked, flapped their arms, and scratched at the ground.
He finally asked them to act like Jesus. When the preacher made this statement, they seemed a bit confused and uncertain about how to respond. However, one little girl stood up with a big smile and hugged the preacher. In doing so, she expressed her love for another person and demonstrated her welcoming nature, which is precisely how Jesus embodies love and acceptance.
Jesus loves everyone. He loved us so much that He was willing to die a horrible death so that we could be saved. Even before His cruel death on the cross, we read about the great love and compassion He had for the lame, the maimed, the sick, the poor, and sinners. One quick example of this comes from when Jesus was selecting His apostles.
Matthew 9:9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. 10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 “But go and learn what this means:`I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
The Pharisees would never have anything to do with tax collectors or other sinners, but Jesus knew these people needed His love and compassion the most.
As Christians, we are supposed to act like Jesus. Paul said:
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Just as we observed these children hesitating when asked to act like Jesus, we, too, may find ourselves unsure at times. This hesitation can serve as a valuable reminder that in situations of uncertainty, we must take a moment to reflect before acting. It’s crucial to avoid responses that could be inappropriate or detrimental to the kingdom. By thinking carefully, we can choose actions that truly reflect our values and uplift those around us.
Let’s never forget who we signed up to serve and always do our best to act like Jesus so we can be the best example we can be. As Paul wrote in:
1 Thessalonians 1:6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
So, let's all strive to be imitators of Jesus.
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