Jesus as Our Example in the Work

Jesus as Our Example in the Work

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps . . . .” 1 Pet. 2:21. Jesus suffered for us, justifying us by faith and leaving us an example that we should follow.

Jesus is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and, the Lamb that was slain. Here we see both extremes of the nature of love. We have seen Him as a lion in the temple when He made Himself a whip of cords and drove out those who did business there. John 2:14-17. His zeal for accomplishing God’s will and word—is that not an awesome example for us? Was He not an example when He, in the love of God, confronted His contemporary worshipers and contradicted them without fear? The Lion of Judah overcame; therefore He could open the book and do all the things He did here, in the days of His flesh.

Jesus was a lamb and He overcame as a lamb. “Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” Isa. 53:7. He was always silent in His own defense, and when He said something it was for the others’ sake. He could not do anything of Himself. He has left us an example so we can follow His steps. The disciple will be like his Master when he is fully taught. We must look forward to that in faith, without fear or doubting, always living by faith and not drawing back; otherwise we will lose God’s pleasure over our life. We must be able to perform our work as a lion when it is required, and as a lamb when that is required.

“For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ . . . .” Eph. 4:12. “That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim. 3:17.

This concerns every one of us, and no one can with good reason think that it does not concern him. It is reminiscent of the one who received the one talent. As truly as you think that you belong to the church, it concerns you. You must also learn to be equipped for every good work: to bear, to suffer and be contradicted, and to be patient, so that you are not a reproach to Christ and His church.

Paul praises the Philippians for their fellowship in the work for the gospel “from the first day until now.” Phil. 1:5.

Christ did not come to earth as King or High Priest, He came as a servant; and when He was found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Phil. 2:8. This tells us that “His Highness” has no place in the work; he has to hurry and come down, for down below he will meet people with whom he can have good fellowship.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus . . . .” Phil. 2:5-8. In this mind we are finished with our disunity and arguing; in this mind we all become one. The mind of Christ is the foundation for all fellowship and brotherhood, and in this mind humanness is “shown the door.” There is consolation and comfort of love, there is compassion and mercy in the mind of Christ.

Christ lived for the others; He also came to earth for the others’ sake. He endured the cross, despising the shame, and withstood much hostility from sinners. Therefore we are also exhorted to consider Him, lest we become weary and discouraged in our souls. Heb. 12:2-3.

We have been promised a share in divine nature; it will be natural for us to act like Christ and be like Him. “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” 1 John 2:6. “If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.” 1 John 4:12.

May we truly follow our example and live for each other, being keenly interested in the others’ best.