My Devotional: Copy Christ's Example

Copy Christ’s Example

B Liz Omondi | Email: timestodayke@gmail.com | image courtesy: vectorstock.com

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God [b]as a fragrant aroma. Ephesian 5:1-2 NASB

As soon as I had passed her, I heard a whisper, ‘you should have helped her. Though she looked bigger, heavier, older, and untouchable, you really should have offered a helping hand.’

I was careful with every step I took. The market was dirty, slippery, and the sky murky the day after it had rained heavily. This is the usual state of the open air market where I buy groceries and really needed food to feed the family for the next couple of weeks. So I could not wait until the ground gets drier.

Those at the market wore gumboots and raincoats with sellers busy calling out to woo buyers to purchase their foodstuffs. Buyers crossed each others paths, each one seemingly knowing where to spot their favourite mama mboga from whom they purchase their fruits and vegetables. Each careful with every step they took and where to hold for that extra support. The market was muddy and dirty.

Previous experience taught me to make every effort to ensure I did not fall on the black, slippery terrain as I moved from one mama mboga to the next. Sooner than later, right next to me, one of the ladies carrying her stuff perhaps looking for a spot to fix herself slid and fell. Immediately I muttered, ‘woi pole sana’ (Oh really so sorry) and moved on. I could hear the other women laugh, and they were seated and did not move an inch to help. It was as if this was a common occurrence in the market during such seasons.

I moved too on as if nothing had happened. It is at this point that I heard the rebuke, ‘you should have helped her up.’ Then I remembered the parable of the Good Samaritan that Jesus taught his disciples. I bit my lip for not helping even as I asked myself, ‘What would Jesus have done?’

The apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesian church in Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” He then continues in the next chapter in 5:1-2 “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Everything about Jesus Christ is worth emulating. By asking myself what would Jesus do? It reminds me that, whereas I am prone to do the wrong things and even try to justify my actions, as a Christian, I should be Christlike. And therefore, what would Jesus do in matters physical, social, emotional, spiritual?

Everywhere Jesus went, He had compassion on people and helped them. He healed the sick and fed the hungry. He touched the untouchables they were made whole. In spiritual disciplines, Jesus rose up early in the morning, usually went to a secluded area and prayed to the Father. I therefore, in copying Jesus, ought to help those in need, pray not only for myself, but also for others as well as He did in John 17.

I ought to copy Christ’s humility. Philippians 2:5-8 tells us, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.”

What about when I am not sure what to do, or how Jesus would have behaved in a certain situation? Well, James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” After all, Luke 2:52 says, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. May we strive to be like Jesus in every area of our lives. Amen.