I Want to Be More Like Jesus
“I Want to Be More Like Jesus”
by Pastor Kent Munsey
January 3, 2021
Within minutes they were bickering over who of them would end up the greatest. But Jesus intervened: “Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. It’s not going to be that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let the leader act the part of the servant.
“Who would you rather be: the one who eats the dinner or the one who serves the dinner? You’d rather eat and be served, right? But I’ve taken my place among you as the one who serves. And you’ve stuck with me through thick and thin. Now I confer on you the royal authority my Father conferred on me so you can eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and be strengthened as you take up responsibilities among the congregations of God’s people.
Luke 22:24-30 (MSG)
In 2021, we want to grow and be more like Jesus. In Luke 22, the disciples were arguing about who would be the greatest. Jesus responded by telling them whoever is the servant of all is the greatest.
If we want to be more like Jesus we have to be more focused on service than on status. The Kingdom of Jesus is not earthly. A king on earth is evaluated by his power, but in the kingdom of heaven, it is the one who serves.
SERVICE OVER STATUS:
Jesus was more passionate about service than status. His kingdom is countercultural. If we're going to be passionate about service more than status, then we have to forget about ourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Serving is more important than status.
CHARACTER OVER COMFORT:
People that need help usually don't have a calendar of when they're going to need it. The Good Samaritan allowed himself to be inconvenienced. When we see the needs of others, it is important to try to meet them, whether it’s comfortable and convenient or not.
Jesus insisted on washing the disciples' feet to set an example. When Jesus washed Peter's feet, his concern was holiness, not hygiene. Jesus was modeling for us an example of righteousness. We should all have water in our basin, ready to help and serve. Character is more important than comfort.
WE OVER ME:
To be more like Jesus, we have to choose we over me. The disciples betrayed Jesus and denied him, but he still loved them and gave his life for them. Too often we give ourselves permission to wash our hands of opportunities that we don't think are our responsibility. Just as Jesus laid down his life for the world, we can choose to do the right thing for the good of others.
Live a life that is larger than yourself. Here are 5 things we can do to be more like Jesus.
Don't rely on positions or titles.
Choose to believe in people and their God-given potential. Jesus chose to believe in us. Let us not withhold grace in 2021.
Work to see things from the perspective of others. Jesus came down to earth so he could see things from our perspective. Let us be at the forefront of the fight for justice and against racism.
Create an environment of encouragement because that's what Jesus has done. Let us be experts on empathy and look beyond peoples’ shortcomings to God’s grace and mercy.
Measure success by how much we love and add value to others. Jesus modeled righteous leadership and what it means to give value to others, to give dignity and worth, and to meet the needs of others. There will be an abundance of people who are sick, hungry, hurting, and in need of Jesus, and we need to respond to them with the goodness of God.
We are the ecclesia, the community of the called-out ones into God’s marvelous light. We follow Jesus who laid down his life so that we could live in a way that imitates him. Holiness is not about living a perfect life but about living a life fully committed to God's purpose and plan. There is no higher purpose or plan than loving people and adding value to them.
Reflection/Discussion Questions:
1. In what ways do you want to become more like Jesus in 2021?
2. How can you be intentional this year about believing in the people in your lives?
3. In what area of your life can you work more to see things from the perspectives of others?
4. How can you create an environment of encouragement in your workplace, your home, your family or your friendships?
5. What are some specific ways that you can love or give value to others this week, this month, and this year?