Jesus, the Model
John 5:30 - "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me" (NIV).
Romans 5:6-8 - "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (NIV).
Ephesians 5:1-2 - "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (NIV).
1 John 3:16 - "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers" (NIV).
Jesus models for us a life of complete dependence on His Father. The Creator of the universe says, "By myself I can do nothing…." (John 5:30 NIV). Jesus is intentional in His relationship with the Father. He chooses dependence. He is unwilling to walk, talk or minister alone. This consistent, intentional dependence is the model of us to follow. We can see in Jesus' life that dependence is built on a foundation of love. "For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does" (John 5:20 NIV). Jesus gives Himself willingly to His Father out of a deep love and trust.
Jesus also shows us how to live a life of love in relationships. It's all about practical sacrifice. 1 John 3:18 says, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth" (NIV). These actions of love are not motivated by personal gain. Remember, while we were still rebellious, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8). Jesus calls us to follow Him in sacrificing so that more people can be included in the Father's family. During His time on earth, Jesus constantly reached out to the poor, the diseased, the sinners and those on the fringe of society. He sacrificed His reputation, time and energy to show the Father's love. He calls us to follow in His steps.
Jesus doesn't stop there. He loves His enemies. As He hung on the cross, Jesus forgave His persecutors. And He calls us to do the same. Jesus says, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44 NIV).
For More Study
Thoughts and Questions for Application
Memorisation
1 John 3:16 - "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers" (NIV).
Romans 5:6-8 - "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (NIV).
Ephesians 5:1-2 - "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (NIV).
1 John 3:16 - "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers" (NIV).
Jesus models for us a life of complete dependence on His Father. The Creator of the universe says, "By myself I can do nothing…." (John 5:30 NIV). Jesus is intentional in His relationship with the Father. He chooses dependence. He is unwilling to walk, talk or minister alone. This consistent, intentional dependence is the model of us to follow. We can see in Jesus' life that dependence is built on a foundation of love. "For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does" (John 5:20 NIV). Jesus gives Himself willingly to His Father out of a deep love and trust.
Jesus also shows us how to live a life of love in relationships. It's all about practical sacrifice. 1 John 3:18 says, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth" (NIV). These actions of love are not motivated by personal gain. Remember, while we were still rebellious, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8). Jesus calls us to follow Him in sacrificing so that more people can be included in the Father's family. During His time on earth, Jesus constantly reached out to the poor, the diseased, the sinners and those on the fringe of society. He sacrificed His reputation, time and energy to show the Father's love. He calls us to follow in His steps.
Jesus doesn't stop there. He loves His enemies. As He hung on the cross, Jesus forgave His persecutors. And He calls us to do the same. Jesus says, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44 NIV).
For More Study
- John 1
- John 13:1-17, 31-38
- Romans 5:1-11
- 1 John 3
Thoughts and Questions for Application
- Of course, we cannot offer ourselves as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, but we are called to sacrifice in our relationships. How can you sacrifice more in your relationships?
- What can you sacrifice so that more people will be included in the family of God?
- Read 1 John 3:11-24. Give specific examples of how you can love others with actions and in truth.
Memorisation
1 John 3:16 - "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers" (NIV).
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