After our 21 days fasting I decided that I will read the New Testament, especially the 4 gospel with a new perspective.
I want to read them looking at Jesus actions and words as my role model. My example. My inspiration.
We know that when God created human kind in the garden of Eden everything was perfect : the relationship between man and God, man and woman were perfect. No sin, no disobedience. Everything was fine.
But the relationship was broken because of disobedience and then mankind lost connection with God.
God never gave up, his main desire was always to reconnect with man. And because of that he sent his beloved son to live here in this earth- 2000 years ago.
Jesus lived here, he talked to people he interacted with. To show us that we can have relationship with God the same way Adam and Eve had in the garden.
The connection was broken in the garden because disobedience, but through Jesus. It can be restored.
And if you read the Bible with this curiosity. You can learn with him. How to restore your relationship with God.
Nowadays many people follow artists on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, because there life style inspires them. And because of that they start copying them.
This action of coping others people behaviour and life style is called Role model. Nowadays because of the media we tend to look to famous people lives and aspire to live like them . Some copy their hair style, makeup, life style, diet, how they do business.
People want to be couch by the successful one. Why? Because apparently they are doing well in their life. They are role models for many.
Pictures powerpoint – Click here to open do file
Before we move on I want to ask you? Who is your Role model? With whom you would like to look like?
I decided to have a look on Jesus “instagram” ( the Bible ) and see, his life style, how he treated people. How he behaved when someone mistreated him. How was his relationship with people. How was his philosophy of life.
I choose him as my Role model. Because his is the son of God and when he was in this earth he was the perfect expression of Love. And he said we can be like him, he said to follow him, to copy his life.
If you believe that you were created by God and he is your Father then your Role model can be your oldest brother- Jesus.
Let’s have a look on Jesus life through the book of Matthew.
What I will share with you is my own notes. As I read the Bible, my impression and understanding of Jesus attitudes. As I studied I prayed and asked God to help me to be like my big brother.
My invitation for you is to do the same yourself. Don’t just read the Bible as an obligation. Do it as you are looking into a box full of treasures. Read different versions. I realised if I read the same version I cannot see all the beauty that is hidden. Use an app on your phone and read in different versions and languages. The original language of the bible is Greek and Hebrew. The meaning sometimes can be lost in translation.Use dictionary. Be curious.
Jesus my Role Model.
1- He obeyed his Father.
First of all Jesus choose to walk in obedience, and God was pleased with him. Matt. 3: 15, 16, 17.
At the beginning of his ministry, he went to Jonh to be baptized. He did it as an act of obedience. Do you do what your parents ask you do?
Jonh want to change Jesus mind, but he wants to obey his father.
“Jesus replied, “Let it be this way for now. It is right for us to do this. It carries out God’s holy plan.” Then John agreed.”
Matthew 3:15 NIRV
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened. Jesus saw the Spirit of God coming down on him like a dove. A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, and I love him. I am very pleased with him.””
Matthew 3:16-17 NIRV
2- His strength
His strength was in his Father words. Not in food or others opinion about him. His had inner strength.
“Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.”
Matthew 4:4 MSG
What I learned.
The word of God is my strength is the only thing that can keep me on going. What he said about me. His love for me, his promises. Knowing that he cares about me. If my soul is full, if a understand and trust in his love I can face hard times. I don’t need to be afraid of people opinions.
3- He moved by compassion.
He was moved by compassion, that why he cared about people Matt. 9.36
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harried ( herid )and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Mattityahu (Mat) 9:36 CJB
What is moving my heart to work with people? Is it my need of love, recognition, appreciation?
Father help me to always check my motivation. I do not want to seek “man worship.” But my desire is to seek your heart. Jesus you loved them and your main goal was to see them well. As you healed and taught religious people always came against you. But you knew who you were. You were not ashamed or afraid. You touched the impure, healed the sick and eat with sinners. You loved them with no fear. Help me trust on you and be moved by compassion.
4- Religion is a burden.
Jesus invitation is for us to walk like him. To learn from him.
If you read the full chapter 11 will see John asking if Jesus was the Messiah? In v.2 He was having doubts. Is you the saviour?
Then in v 16 Jesus talks about this generation that never knows what they want, so many doubts again.
If you walk by people opinions you never know the truth.
“How can I account for this generation? The people have been like spoiled children whining to their parents, ‘We wanted to skip rope, and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk, but you were always too busy.’ John came fasting and they called him crazy. I came feasting and they called me a lush, a friend of the riffraff. Opinion polls don’t count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”
Matthew 11:16-19 MSG
And he kept talking about cities that saw him performing miracles and did not believe on him. He finished his talk making one invitation:
“Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. “The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.”
Matthew 11:25-27 MSG
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
Conclusion
We can keep talking about so many things. But I want to finish here. I challenge you to read all the four gospel and learn from our big brother Jesus. He is our role model. You can trust him and follow him.
He said : now I am in heaven preparing our house for you to live there with me. Meanwhile you will have here his Holy Spirit with us. He will help you live as Jesus taught. He is your inner voice helping you to not let God down.
Jesus call us to obey, to honour ,our parents like he did.
To find strength in his word. Not in food alone.
Be full of compassion. Loving people.
Develop a relationship with God not live a religious life.
Learn from Him, learn with him.