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CHRIST, OUR EXAMPLE (LENT DAY 5)

SCRIPTURE READINGS
GENESIS 9:8-17
1 PETER 3 18-22
MARK 1:9-15

A person is said to be an example if he or she possesses the desired qualities that represent the standard that all are expected to achieve. The theme for our deliberation is Jesus our Example. We shall be guided by the following points:
1. Christ is our example because God has revealed to us that Christ is His son whom He loves and in whom He is pleased.
2. Jesus is our example because He is the new covenant sign between God and us and through His death and resurrection we have salvation.

Beloved in the Lord, the only way to please God is to follow the example of Christ. We are told that “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you, I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11” Again, during the Transfiguration event, we are told “… a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Mark 9:7). All these supernatural occurrences firmly assures us that the only way to please God is to obey and follow the perfect example of our Lord Jesus Christ. Beloved in the Lord, are we pleasing God through our lifestyles and do our actions and speech reflect the image and example of Jesus Christ? How do we know and follow the example of Christ to please God? We must read the Scripture consistently; and study the teachings of Christ and His relationship with people and God. Until we have dedicated our time to know Him and to follow Him in faith we will not be able please God. Many people pretend to be following Christ as their example but in reality, they are not. No wonder Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

We can only know the will of God and be saved by following the perfect example of Christ. Christ demonstrated his love and proclaimed this love to all. We must also love just as He did, pursue justice, protect and care for the poor and vulnerable. We must preach the Gospel for the repentance and salvation of those behind the walls of salvation. The summary of Jesus’s example are obedience to the will of God, love, service and humility.

If we all follow Christ’s example we will not only please God but we shall have a world free from jealousy, hatred, ethnocentrism, xenophobia, civil wars, unfaithfulness and betrayal in relationships, corruption and conspiracy among others. The world is used to seeing and hearing many Christians preach in the name of Christ, in the 21 century we must not only preach the Gospel but we must demonstrate the life and teachings of Christ through our actions or conducts so that our impact will be felt in our communities. The world needs to see us living like Christ at our workplaces, homes and societies so that people can indeed see Christ in us. Our hypocritical life styles and dealings with our neighbors and colleagues sometimes lead people to question our identity and integrity as Christians. If we indeed follow the example of Christ then we must be above reproach as admonished by Paul Titus 2:6-8 when he wrote, “Likewise, urge the younger men (and women) to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” May we please God by following the perfect example of Jesus Christ in this Lent season and beyond.

The second point is that just as the rainbow in Genesis 9:8-17 was used by God as a sign of His covenant between Himself and the people at the time, Jesus has become the sign of the New covenant which supersedes all other covenants. Paul assures us in 1 Peter 3:18-22 that Jesus’ suffering was once and for all so that anyone who believes and is baptized in this New covenant is saved. If we are indeed saved through Jesus whose blood is the sign of the new Covenant then beloved in the Lord we must follow his examples because it is only through Him that we receive our salvation and continually please God. Thus, ” …this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²² who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand —with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (1 Peter 3:21-22). God is merciful to a repentant sinner or anyone willing to be saved through Jesus Christ, the symbol of the New Covenant. In other words, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16), May we be drawn closer to Jesus during the Lent season through repentance and acknowledgement of His Lordship over our lives.

In sum, to please God we must listen and follow the example of Christ by studying His teachings and abiding by it in practice and in faith. Again, we must follow the example of Jesus Christ because He is the sign of the New covenant between us and God, and in Him, we have our salvation. May the Lord strengthen us to be faithful disciples and doers of his word Amen.