On any given day of his life, Jesus could be found out and about early in the morning, seeking a place of solitude for personal prayer (Mark 1:35). By custom, he attended the synagogue on Sabbath days and evidence reveals Him going throughout his life doing His father’s business.
This began in his early life (Luke 2:49). Throughout his life, self-discipline remained important (Matthew 14:23). He lived close to God; consequently, he knew at all times who he was--one with his Father. By his own admission, he lived all of his life by the authority of his Father (John 10:29-30).
Seldom if ever did Jesus do anything on his own, doing only what he learned from his Father. He readily admitted, “Whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:19). Thus, he readily discerned the wholeness of life, reflecting insights that allowed him to patiently peel off those layered rings of self protection with which people excuse self-limited living (Matthew 22:2-10).
Jesus served truth without respect of persons. He maintained wholesome relationships that knew neither superiors nor inferiors, and he chose to be the servant of all (Luke 22:27). He scrutinized the inner self believing it is the inner man that determines one’s real self (Matthew 23:26).
People found Him “the one” to follow, because he always had such clear vision. Matthew’s Gospel portrays him as a superb teacher and leader that developed those characteristics that best draw other people out of themselves and closer to God. This quality in his life made it impossible for anyone to fail to learn from him.
He taught nothing that he did not model (Matthew 5:1-12). This resulted in many finding themselves drawn incredibly close to him. As others scrutinized his life, they discovered what they could become; he equipped them by always showing them how to better themselves (Mark 6:7-13). He lived with consistent behavior, remaining sensitive to the needs of others, ever optimistic in outlook. People found him patient, gentle, and authentic.
Scripture powered his personal growth (Matthew 22:21-46), providing his best line of defense in times of need, which he applied to all areas of his life. Although some people find life a cold and uncaring journey, Jesus offered to everyone he encountered the personal embodiment of God’s love, and the wholesome warmth God wants everyone to experience John 8:1-11).
Although daring to challenge others (Luke 14:1-6), the clarity and relevance of Jesus’ life remains unchallenged today in spite of the brevity and vulnerability of his life (Luke 22:41-44).In his most vulnerable moments, he still found time to assist a penitent thief in his most grievous time of need.
In Jesus, we find our greatest hope ever for human transformation. One of the early Church Fathers suggested “as the print of the seal on the wax is the express image of the seal itself, so Christ is the express image--the perfect representation of God.” Thus, Renan, the French philosopher-scholar concluded that history is incomprehensible without Jesus.
Today, I experience him as “The Someone” most worth following! From Warner’s World, I am walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
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