Thinking Like Jesus

February 11, 2020

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had. Romans 15:5 NIV

Have you ever wondered what it was like when Jesus was a child? What were His struggles? Think about this: Twelve-year-old Jesus wowed the elders in the Temple, the wisest men of those days, with His wisdom and understanding. His parents couldn’t find Him in the caravan back to Nazareth and traveled all the way back to Jerusalem to get Him. They found Him still in the Temple. They couldn’t understand His rapport with the teachers and why He was there, so they corrected Him for worrying them. Instead of defending Himself and “copping an attitude,” Luke 2:51 says He went home with His parents and obeyed them. Hebrews 5:8 further says He “learned obedience through the things He suffered.”

When you consider that Jesus, God Himself, the Creator of the world and every human being, humbled Himself and had an attitude of obedience to His parents and human authority, what does that say to you and me about the attitude we are to imitate? Paul says we need the “same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” How would you describe His attitude?

  • He had an attitude of humility. He deliberately submitted Himself to the authority of His parents, even though He was superior in understanding.
  • He deliberately chose an attitude of respect. He behaved as a loving and obedient son. He respected their place in His life.
  • He chose a loving and listening attitude. Luke 2:52 says He grew in wisdom and in favor with God and people.

That’s just a beginning list of the characteristics of the attitudes Jesus exemplified that we are to have toward each other. Our attitude is to reflect humility. Our interactions should clearly display the deep respect we have toward each other and the places we have in one another’s lives. A loving and learning posture will define our relationships if we have the same attitude of mind toward each other that Jesus had.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are called “the Holy Family.” Think of the holiness and happiness that would characterize our own families if we had the attitude toward each other in our homes that Jesus had!

  • Jesus, You had every legitimate reason to have less than a submissive attitude in Your home, but You showed me how to live even there. Help me imitate You. Amen.