Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 NLT
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21 NLT
Jesus lived a truly human life and shows us the way to live. He faced real tears, deep pain, and heavy stress just like we do. He had to navigate human relationships and needs as we do. His earthly life shows us how to love God, serve our neighbors, and stay strong through hard days. His life provides a practical, relatable model for managing daily responsibilities, emotional challenges, and moral choices. The thirty-three years of human life He lived shows us that we can walk in obedience to God within the limits of human physical and emotional existence.
Jesus shows us how to humbly walk in love and service. He daily served others. Jesus washed feet and fed hungry crowds. His eyes were always scanning the crowd, looking for people in need, His ears and heart open to the quietest call. He always put people first over His position, power, and religious “policy.” We can do the same. He loved with tangible action. Jesus wept with His friends in grief and never minimized their pain. He cared for the sick and the outcasts. He didn’t have “high standards” for the people He loved. He loved the ones others found too hard and challenging to love. He saw the God-given potential in everyone. But He made His deepest investments in the ones who were His core team in ministry in winning the world. His personal relationships were prime.
Jesus shows us how to trust God in hard times. Jesus prayed often. Jesus spent quiet alone hours talking to His Father and gained strength for His ministry. He was able to settle His emotions and press on through hard times. We can follow His example and talk to God regularly, so we will naturally turn to Him when life gets tough. He will give us what we need. He obeyed the Father, choosing God's path even when it hurt. In the garden and on the cross, trials far greater than we will ever know, He trusted God to be with Him and bring Him through. We can choose to trust God in our own trials, suffering, and temptations.
Jesus shows us how to find rest and peace. Jesus cared for His physical body. Jesus took breaks, withdrew from crowds as needed, and slept on boats while traveling. He knew His limits and lived responsibly. We can learn from Jesus and know we can only continue to serve as we care for ourselves. Jesus knew rest and peace are impossible without forgiveness. He refused to live in anger, even through deep betrayal and rejection. He forgave the very people who hurt Him. Like Jesus, we can let go of anger and bitterness, forgiving others with His mercy and grace. We will find rest and peace.
- Following in Jesus’ footsteps, living as He lived, is our privilege and our calling.