Lesson 3: Examples of Christ

Paul encouraged us, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Cor. 10:1)

“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17) “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22) These verses underscore the importance of producing works representative of our faiths in our lives. We will study in this lesson the teachings of Christ with respect to speech, deeds, love, faith and holiness. We will also study the examples Jesus set for us in these areas.

I.Teachings of Christ

  1. In Speech

“But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne.” (Mt 5:34) “Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Mt 5:37) “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (Mt 7:1) “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” (Mt 12:36) These verses teach that with respect to speech, we should learn to speak truthfully, make only promises we can deliver, avoid judging others and avoid gossiping.

  1. In Deeds

"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Mt 7:21-23)

So even if we possess the gift of casting out demons and performing miracles, if we do not do what is right, we are still not known by Christ.

  1. In Love

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34) "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” (Mat 25:34-41) Therefore, let us love one another.

  1. In Faith

“If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”(John 14:14) “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Mt 7:8) Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mk 9:23) These verses teach us that we should present our requests to God in the prayer. To the extent that it is not against the Truth and His will, He will grant our requests when the time comes.

  1. In Holiness

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” (Mat 5:27-30) We need to removes all forms of impurities with the help of Holy Spirit. We need to be especially careful about what we see with our eyes, and what we do with our body less that we submit ourselves to mortal sins and be cast into hell.

II. Examples of Christ

  1. Holiness

After Jesus was baptized, he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for forty days. After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. Satan came to Him, and said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."' The devil then took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." But Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve."' Finally, after several unsuccessful attempts, Satan left Jesus. (Mt 4:1-14) Even though Jesus was tempted on several occasions, but he never sinned. “We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. “ (Heb 4:15)

  1. Compassion/Love

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.“ (Mt 9:35-37) Throughout His ministry, Jesus had compassion on those who suffered both mentally and physically. (Mt 8:17, 20:34; Mk 1:40-41; 9:22-25) His love towards mankind can be seen by how he died on the cross for us. “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:6-8; 1 John 3:16)

  1. Gentleness

“And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village.“ (Luke 9:51-56) James and John had wanted to call fire down from heaven because the Samaritans did not welcome them. Jesus, on the other hand, did not hold grudges against the Samaritans because they did not welcome him. “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.” (1 Pet 2:23; Mat 26:67-68; 27:39-44) We observed the gentleness of Jesus when he forgave those who harmed him. “ Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’” (Luke 23:33-34)

  1. Humbleness

Unlike the Scribes and Pharisees who wanted to have nothing to do with the tax collectors and the sinners, Jesus accepted the “sinners” in order that they may repent and turn away from theirs sins. (Luke 5:27-32; 15:1-2) We observed the humbleness of Christ when he took up the position of a servant. “ So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. “ (John 13:3-5; Mat 20:27-28)

  1. Love/obedience

Jesus submitted to His parents and was in favor with God and men. “He was subject to them [His parents] ....And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and was in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:51-52)

Jesus demonstrated His devotion to His mother when He entrusted to His mother to the disciple whom he loved. “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.“ (John 19:25-27)

III. Jesus and His disciples

1. Friendliness

Jesus stayed with His disciples. “The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), "where are You staying?" He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.” (John 1:37-40)

Jesus allowed His disciples to lean on Him—this is an indication that he was close to His disciples. “Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, "Lord, who is it?" “ (John 13:23-25)

  1. Compassion

Jesus showed compassion for His disciples by providing timely helps. “Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them” (Mark 1:29-31)

  1. Prayer

Jesus prayed for Peter in order that they may not lose their faith. “And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.’" (Luke 22:31-34) Jesus asked the disciples to stay and watch for Him shortly before He was taken away. “Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, ‘Sit here while I go and pray over there.’ And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.’ “ (Mat 26:36-39)

  1. Forgiveness

Jesus knew Judah would eventually betray Him, but He still washed his feet. “After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.... Jesus said to him, ‘He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.’ For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, ‘You are not all clean.’ “ (John 13:10-11; 21-26)

  1. Providence

In addition to caring for the spiritual needs of the disciples, Jesus also provided for the physical needs of the disciples. “Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We are going with you also.’ They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Children, have you any food?’ They answered Him, ‘No.’ And He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.” (John 21:1-14)

Conclusion

We studied in this lesson the teachings of Christ with respect to speech, deeds, love, faith and holiness. We also studied the examples Jesus set for us in each of these areas. May God help us so that we will be able to apply what we have learned in this lesson to our lives.