Being like Jesus

 

This vacation is making me consider what it was like for Jesus to come from a perfect heaven into a world of sinners. How did He feel? What did He do?

And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:10–13)

I cannot imagine Jesus thinking this was so uncomfortable that He wanted to go back to heaven. Instead, he ate with them, spent time with them. He didn’t retreat into someplace more comfortable or avoid the company of those self-centered people. The Bible does not tell us much about their conversations other than the teaching that Jesus gave them and that a few responded to trust and follow Him.

We find ourselves with those who are more interested in the eating and drinking than any conversation about God or spiritual matters. However, I can imagine Jesus asking questions and listening to what people said rather than condemning them. Later He said:

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” (
Matthew 11:19)

That last line speaks to me. Being wise is not avoiding the challenging situation of being surrounded by me-first attitudes. Instead, wisdom would put first whatever those sinners want to talk about and give wise responses showing an understanding of their needs. I need His wisdom to think and act – like Him.

PRAY: Jesus, I’ve no idea what the day will present or interaction with others will involve, so ask You for wisdom and the fullness of Your Spirit that I might be like You as You involved Yourself with those who seemed only interested in doing their own thing.