Dearly beloved friends,
I am positive that almost all of us has asked this question to ourselves or to other elders of different churches, “What does God really expect of me? How can I please Him?” The answer is in the examples that Jesus has given us. Tonight, I would like to show you these examples – all of these examples by providing Scriptural reference. For the sake of scripture to be understood, I will be using the New International Version of the Bible.
Forgiveness
Jesus wants us to forgive all people – no matter what they’ve done to us. Jesus didn’t say this to give us a chore, but for our very own benefit. That way, we not only get the worry and the “bolder” off of our hearts, we also get forgiveness from God. Jesus said, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
John 8:1-11 explains how Jesus reacted towards a woman who sinned against His own Father:
1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
How did Jesus respond to the woman who went against His own Father by sinning? He told the people around Him, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Or, in other words, He was saying, “If you’re perfect, throw the first stone.” How did the crowd respond? The crowd went away one at a time, first the older and then the younger. We see how important it is to look at ourselves first before judging another person.
Being a Servant
All throughout the Bible we know that Jesus is the King and is the Master. Yet, what was some of the things He did for us? He healed many leppers, He healed the lame, restored sight to the blind, showed compassion for many people who were hungry, and even went across the country raising the dead. All throughout His examples, we read that He didn’t come to be served but to serve. One thing that stands out the most to me personally is how Jesus washed His followers feet. We read in John 13:2-17:
2The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 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.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Jesus also gave us an important command that we need to serve one another. (v. 15) He set the example that we need to love one another, that we need to ultimately think of others before we think of ourselves.
Are we living the example that Jesus has set before us? When people look at us, to they immediately think of Jesus Christ, our King? If they don’t, what can we do personally to change that? May the Lord God of Israel bless each of you, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
