by Gail Gritts
Remember those bracelets people used to wear? And, maybe some still do, WWJD? What Would Jesus Do? They are a powerful prompt to help us think about our responses and choices. Scripture clearly records the example of Jesus’ behavior. He used restraint in His responses, showed grace and forgiveness in hard situations, and spoke truth. He was kind, the Bible says, to the unthankful and to the evil. In the Sermon on the Mount, He challenged the people to go beyond the righteousness of their religious leaders and set an example of moral high ground and grace.
All of this is wonderful. We are wise to consider Jesus’ responses before we react. It is the learning of patience and self-control. Great qualities. But I think Jesus calls us to more than just being nice. So, think with me a bit about how it would look if we changed just one word. Instead of saying What WouldJesus Do, let’s ask ourselves, What DidJesus Do? What He did do is what we use to determine what we should do. Now, before we get too tangled in the words, let’s do a few comparisons.
What things did Jesus do? Well, He behaved Himself wisely, so that is what we should do. He controlled His tongue and responses, so should we. But my challenge is to more than this. I want us to move on to looking at what Jesus did and how that challenges us to something different.
He did more than control His responses. Jesus went about doing good. He was out there in the community where His faith and actions were under scrutiny. He didn’t satisfy Himself with an inward control and go back home happy He had not verbally blasted the disciples. He controlled Himself amid the situation and then stayed there so others would see the working of His decisions in real life. His was a life observed and examined by those around Him.
We have only to look at the reactions of His enemies to see that His behavior spoke loudly. They tried to catch Him in words, but His apologetics were perfect. They accused Him of breaking the law of Moses, but He took them back to the law of God. They saw no fault in Him.
That causes me to look at my life and say it isn’t enough for me to be self-controlled in a personal, private way. I might be able to hold my tongue, but can I hold my heart? Can I stay in the situation and not only control myself, but act in such a way as to reveal the depth of my faith by my actions? Do people not only see my faith, but can they examine it by asking questions? Am I ready to give an answer for the faith that is within me?
Following this train of thought further, brought me to another question, “What did Jesus tell us to do?” Have self-control? Yes. Conduct ourselves wisely among those around us? Yes. But Jesus didn’t stop there. He was out among the people living a public life. And, He sent His disciples out among the wolves to exhibit and exercise their faith. I think He asks the same of us today. How will this lost world find Christ if His disciples stay inside the four walls of their churches hiding the light? How will the effect of the cross be realized unless someone lifts it up in public?
Jesus told His followers to, “Go.” And I think He tells us the same today. We need to recognize evangelism as Christ’s heart. (REACH) This was His reason for coming, that all the world may be saved.
I’m afraid we are guilty of hiding our faith; thinking it is good enough to be like Jesus in our private responses and decisions without making ourselves uncomfortable or challenged by living it out in the real world. But we aren’t really like Him until we—GO! What is Jesus telling you to do?