Imitating Jesus

Read

1 Peter 1:13-16
¹³Therefore, once you have your minds ready for action and you are thinking clearly, place your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. ¹⁴Don't be conformed to your former desires, those that shaped you when you were ignorant. But, as obedient children, ¹⁵you must be holy in every aspect of your lives, just as the one who called you is holy. ¹⁶It is written, You will be holy, because I am holy.

Reflect

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that's the case we should hope that Jesus would find us very flattering.

God appearing in human form is the greatest thing that ever could have happened to humanity. When we look at Jesus we see God. So if Jesus is happy with a situation we know that God is happy. If Jesus is disappointed with a situation we know that God is disappointed. Jesus has taken all the guess work out of what it is to please God. He showed us the way. All we really need to do is imitate him.

Respond

Here are some things that Jesus did that we should try our best to imitate:

Jesus cared for those around him and was always looking for ways he could make their lives better.

Jesus often sought a quiet place where he could be alone to pray with God.

Jesus knew the Scripture well.

Jesus thanked God for the things he had, even if they seemed to be insignificant or insufficient. (Remember the fish and bread story? Before Jesus fed the 5000, he thanked God for providing him with those meager supplies.)

Jesus respected people enough to speak to them truthfully, even if the truth wasn't really what they wanted to hear from him.

 

Relate

If today's devotion spoke to you in a particular way and you feel led to share your thoughts with others, please do so.