On this Easter Sunday, I asked a few of my Christian Brothers and Sisters; What are two qualities or characteristics that stand out when you think of Jesus? I made it clear I wasn’t asking for his abilities, i.e., being able to heal the sick, turn water into wine, or raise someone from the dead. While those abilities are AWESOME, what I was looking for was more of his earthly qualities. I would like to say I was surprised by some of the answers I received, but I wasn’t, and I’ll go over their answers later in my blog.
First, let me say to everyone who was expecting to read a blog on the Job Effect, please forgive me, that was the plan, but God placed two other messages in my Heart I will be sharing in the next few weeks. I believe he places them in my Heart to speak not only to me but others as well, so fear not, the Job Effect will be just around the corner.
In the 1990s there was a movement that asked people, What Would Jesus Do? Christians and even Non-Christians took it to heart as a reminder to act in a manner that would demonstrate the love Jesus showed through his actions. I remember having a bracelet, and wearing it proudly. It reminds me to think before taking any action I might surely regret later. What was amazing to me however, was all the non-believers who wore the bracelet, and even they questioned any action they took because they had to ask themselves WWJD, not knowing at that time they were seeking him. The movement faded because we are always looking for better terms or the next big thing. I believe we need to bring that movement back. Imagine if before every action you took you looked down at your WWJD bracelet first, and realized that this is a perfect time to ask God first before moving forward.
I have heard it said at LifePoint Church, “Life is Better when Jesus is First.”
In a time when we really could use a positive role model, I say there is no better one to have every one of us look up to than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now before you jump me and say what about the parents, you are correct, they should be role models. My mom and dad were my role models, but they also reminded me of Jesus’ love and all the wonderful things he is doing in our lives. There are also other people in our small groups I look up too as well, but the Perfect role model is Jesus Christ.
Charles Barkley said in an interview that he is not a role model, kids’ role model should be their parents. Charles is correct in saying parents should be role models, but he was wrong about him not being a role model. Young kids and even adults were looking at being like him because he sold his brand in a certain way. Buy my shoes, and jump higher, play the games as physical as I do and you’ll be a success on the court. While he may have said he wasn’t a role model he marketed himself that way, so he wasn’t fooling anyone with that comment
Now earlier in the blog I stated I had asked a few Christian brothers and sisters what two qualities or characteristics stand out when you think of Jesus. Here are a few: Unwavering Love, Loyalty, Unconditional Love, Forgiveness, Grace, Truth, Mercy, Patience, Obedience and a Leader. Now, how many of these qualities do each of us have?
Sorry, that wasn’t nice to ask, but is something each of us should ask ourselves.
Now, I want to touch on two of the qualities that everyone seems to mention in my survey and please in the back of your mind always ask yourself WWJD!
LOVE
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’[d] 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37 – 39 NKJV)
That verse 22:39 “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself” is a very powerful statement. Jesus is telling us to love everyone like we love ourselves. I feel the most important two words in that scripture is “as yourself.” Now I know this is going to be an issue with a few of us because maybe we don’t love ourselves. Maybe there are things in our past that make it hard for us to love ourselves or dare believe anyone could love us. We are carrying burdens that we should be placing at the feet of Jesus. You are trying to convince yourself that there’s no way Jesus could love me.
STOP THINKING THAT WAY.
Jesus said Matthew 11:28 NKJV “28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
You see, Jesus is saying right now to you, “I GOT THIS, I LOVE YOU, LET’S HAVE A RELATIONSHIP AND IN ME find HIS PEACE.”
Now let’s look at it this way, Jesus loves me as I am, WOW what relief! Knowing that would be the beginning of learning to love yourself. Then when you are dealing with others, you can say WWJD and remember, He loves all my brokenness and I can love others because He loves me.
Forgiveness
“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.” Luke 23:34 NKJV
Even while he was dying on the cross, he asked God to forgive the people who were cursing him, and casting lots for his clothing. How many of us could even fathom doing that? We have a hard time forgiving others for just cutting us off in traffic! Moreover, we have a hard time forgiving ourselves for events in our past. If God has already forgiven us of our sin, why can’t we forgive ourselves and others?
In Freedom Group I learned that maybe I had the wrong idea of what Forgiveness is. By not forgiving myself and others, it was only hurting my relationship with others. Now here is the part that became an AHA moment for me… that person that offended me or I offended them, may have already forgotten about the offense… while I’m still upset and can’t let it go. So who is hurting whom? Hmmmmmm? If you get a chance to sign up for Freedom in the fall, I strongly suggest you do because week seven’s lesson on Forgiveness is a game changer. There are three things that Pastor Daniel has taught, and you will learn in Freedom that I will state at this time
This is a Teaser Alert
- Forgiveness doesn’t minimize the offense.
- Forgiveness doesn’t mean you forget what happened.
- Forgiveness doesn’t always mean you reconcile.
Forgiveness could be your ways of healing yourself of burdens you are carrying from past offenses that are stopping you from moving forward in your relationship with Christ and others.
Last, that one quality that no one mention, that I was truly surprised wasn’t even addressed, was that Jesus had the heart to serve others. Even the night he was to be betrayed by Judas he washed his disciples’ feet as an act of serving.
2 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13: 12-17 NKJV
So maybe you are saying; So what! He washed their feet no big deal.
First, this is the Son of God washing the feet of his disciples showing them an act of serving. One must remember that back then people wore open toe sandals. It wasn’t uncommon to step in dirt, animal poop, etc.….must I go on or do you get the picture? That was a teachable moment for his disciples for at that moment they learned the true meaning of serving.
Question? Ask yourself… Could you wash another person’s feet? Maybe that’s a bad an example. How about, would you give up that steak dinner you just bought and give it to someone who is hungry?
Second, He was placing a value on the importance of serving others. All throughout Jesus’ ministry on earth, he served others. In Mark 10:45 NKJV Jesus said; “45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Jesus placed tremendous value on serving and loving others, forgiveness, as well as being able to love oneself. I feel Jesus knew that these are three areas that we all fall short in, and if we gave even 50% more stock in our lives to these three areas it could impact so much difference in our own lives and in the world too.
So ask yourself when you see someone needing a helping hand WWJD, would he turn a blind eye ( I know dumb question there) or would he give a helping hand.
I’m ordering 50 WWJD bracelets, if you would like one reply back with an address and I’ll send you one.
Romans 8:39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Special Thanks to Virginia Carter (My Wife) And Kate Carter (My Sister N Law) for all their help in writing this blog!
Where two or three are gathered together in my Name 