If we are to become more like Jesus, we must know what He was like—what made Him tick.
Jesus seemed so different from us and yet He shared human life. These forty short inspirational pieces will fuel your thoughts about those differences and similarities.
Underlying Jesus’ uniqueness was a rock-solid worldview focused on God the Father. So how did Jesus view the nuts and bolts of life? Love of friends, family, and enemies. Suffering. Rejection and betrayal. Temptation. Religion. Fame. Frustration. Danger. Grief. Success and failure. In what ways did His worldview affect His behavior?
This book is a subtle approach to how we can imitate Jesus. It reflects on who He is and why, because contemplating the inner life of the Who leads to the how. To mature as followers of Jesus we must start from the inside and work outwards.
Each piece can be used like a daily devotional reading. Most of the pieces are just two pages long and focus on New Testament Scriptures from the Gospel accounts and the Acts.
Be encouraged: being like Jesus is not as unreachable as perhaps you think, and not so weird as you might fear!
If we are to become more like Jesus, we must know what He was like—what made Him tick.
Jesus seemed so different from us and yet He shared human life. These forty short inspirational pieces will fuel your thoughts about those differences and similarities.
Underlying Jesus’ uniqueness was a rock-solid worldview focused on God the Father. So how did Jesus view the nuts and bolts of life? Love of friends, family, and enemies. Suffering. Rejection and betrayal. Temptation. Religion. Fame. Frustration. Danger. Grief. Success and failure. In what ways did His worldview affect His behavior?
This book is a subtle approach to how we can imitate Jesus. It reflects on who He is and why, because contemplating the inner life of the Who leads to the how. To mature as followers of Jesus we must start from the inside and work outwards.
Each piece can be used like a daily devotional reading. Most of the pieces are just two pages long and focus on New Testament Scriptures from the Gospel accounts and the Acts.
Be encouraged: being like Jesus is not as unreachable as perhaps you think, and not so weird as you might fear!
He went into their synagogue. And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse Him. And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. (Matthew 12:9-13. See too Luke 13:10-14.)
Some might wonder why Jesus ever went to synagogue. After all, the reception was mixed. Of all the events of Jesus’ life that happened in synagogues or the temple 75 % mention conflict or a negative reaction.[1] He was ejected from His childhood synagogue because they doubted that God changes people—Jesus was no longer simply the carpenter’s kid (Matt.13:54-58; Luke 4:15-30). Judaism was contaminated with traditions that strayed from God’s heart. Synagogues included hypocrites and glory seekers reveling in a system that rewarded special people with special seats (Matt. 6:2, 5; 23:6). Yet Jesus persisted (Matt. 4:23; 9:35; Luke 4:44; John 18:20). Why?
Jesus did not fit neatly into Jewish religion. He didn’t come to endorse it; He came to fulfill God’s plan revealed in Scripture. There was a difference, and often there were sparks. He warned His followers to expect the same mixed reception (Matt.10:17; 23:34; Luke 12:11; John 9:22; 12:42; 16:2).
Fast forward to the establishment of churches because similar contamination creeps into churches too. Jesus’ relationship with synagogues can teach us about our relationship to church.
Perhaps the best-sounding reason we give for church is being in the presence of God. Certainly that happens. However, Jesus was always in His Father’s presence; synagogue was not necessary to it. In fact, when Jesus needed spiritual replenishment, He withdrew to solitary places (Matt. 14:13, 23).
Jesus attended because the Jewish culture, centered on synagogues and the temple, was primed to receive the presence of God on earth. Jews knew the Scriptures. They awaited the Messiah. A traveling rabbi had a ready platform. Synagogue was a great place to find people who were somehow open to God. Our churches are too. Jesus did not politely conform to norms—He presented fulfilled promises of the kingdom. Open people rejoiced; devotees of the religious system were outraged. But they all heard.
For Jesus it was another place to participate in God’s work. Hungry and needy people went to synagogue. Jesus met some there—but only some. A mere 19 % of Jesus’ recorded ministry happened in synagogues or the temple. Most of it (81 %) happened in ordinary settings—in houses, on journeys, in streets, on mountains, and by lake and river. I suspect that pattern allows for only a hesitant “thumbs up” to our special meetings held to minister to needs, get teaching, or do evangelism. It's better to be salt and light, mostly “out there,” in the world.
That leaves one important activity. “Synagogue” means “bringing together”. It was the place of community prayer for God’s people. Prayer meant more than petitions. It centered on Scripture reading as an act of worship focused on who God is and what He does. It led to petition and practical application. Jesus probably reveled in the ceremony on that level, especially knowing that He was fulfilling the prophecies and purposes of God. Even a dull church, if it is saturated in biblical theology, is a place to meet with and serve God. It gets harder when the meetings aim to earn social respectability points, soothe feelings, air opinions, or revel in relationships with each other rather than welcoming and responding to the presence of God. Fundamentally, church is revamped synagogue—Jesus-followers gathering to praise Him, listen to Him, and make disciples who then disperse to obey Him.
We are told to gather with other disciples (Heb. 10:25). So, how should we approach such gatherings that we typically call “church”? There is no sign that Jesus or Paul ever tried to change the organization or practice of synagogue. Instead, they sought opportunities within the synagogues first—with open individuals, ordinary people, and leaders. We can look for those opportunities too. Speak the truth, minister in kingdom power in a gentle and loving way, accept rejection gracefully, and move on if necessary.
[1] These figures come from my survey of the 190 “events” recorded in the Gospels. Of events in a synagogue, 34 % involved conflict, in the temple 78 %.
Do you want to become like Jesus? In Becoming Like Jesus: How to Think and Live Like Jesus Christ, author John Avery identifies a list of key differences between us and Jesus. Each one is an obstacle to becoming like Him. Then, in typically two-page-long chapters, he explores each hindrance and encourages readers to overcome them. And you can be assured that if you overcome them, you will have achieved the desired transformation into a Christlike person!
The book has forty chapters addressing the above hindrances. Some key obstacles (not necessarily in the same order as they appear in the book) include:
— Understanding the full character of Jesus, our model of perfection, and the foundation upon whom we shall build. (Read the precursory chapter titled “The Man-God”.)
— Loving God first and above everything else (this includes bond servant like submission to God, and ready, fearless, obedience at all times)
— Growing in scriptural knowledge/spiritual strength to endure Satan's testing
— Recognizing the power of prayer
— Understanding "greatness" in God’s kingdom
— Experiencing the lives of those we impact to serve them effectively
— Enduring temptation, betrayal, persecution, and rejection
— Persevering onward till victory
— Everything else (smaller points like reasons for His unusual actions and words e.g. his delayed response to Lazarus’ death, welcoming others into the Christian family, when to empathize and weep, righteous anger, etc.)
The most commendable aspect of the book is the author's sincere commitment to purpose. Another is the comprehensive coverage of the topic. While I doubt whether he has attained a stated objective, viz; setting readers’ hearts on holy fire, I could sense he’s deeply burdened with a wish to communicate why Christians aren’t able to live like Jesus. In other words, why are the lives of Christians devoid of divine beauty and power? I particularly enjoyed the chapters titled “Joy to the World,” and “Move 37” because they spoke to my heart.
Moving to shortcomings, there are two, in my opinion. First, most obstacles on the list are impossible to overcome by ourselves. The author hasn’t done adequate justice to emphasize the mighty role played by the Holy Spirit who makes the task of overcoming easy for us, with the result that some chapters sound too formidable and impossible to achieve. Second, he’s failed to highlight the importance of enlisting the support of one close Christian friend before embarking on such a gigantic task as becoming like Jesus! In Christian life, it isn't safe to go it alone on any long-term, danger-ridden task as Satan is sure to attack you after you start. You are particularly vulnerable when you're weary, tired, or alone. While it’s easy for him to break a single disciple, two will effectively withstand him by supporting each other.
The author assumes you are already a Christian because becoming like Jesus is impossible unless you already enjoy a relationship with Him and desire to grow into something bigger. Alternatively, you must be so powerfully drawn to Him that you cannot but accept His call! Either way, a deep, personal bond between Jesus and you must exist to make you want to desire to become like Him. Consequently, I recommend this book only to those deeply drawn to Christ — inside the Church (among the clergy, lay people, theologians, evangelists, etc.) and outside it. Conversely, please avoid this book if you are disinclined to Christ/Christianity.