It is not uncommon to hear a minister say we ought to live like Jesus. This sounds simple, but it is difficult to do.

Even though He was perfect, He was tempted in all the ways we are tempted, Hebrews 14:5.

The question for us is, how can we be like Jesus? The only way we can know that is by looking at the reactions of Jesus toward situations similar to things we face.

The first one I want us to look at is in Matthew 4. Jesus had gone without food for 40 days and 40 nights. Verse 2 says He was hungry.

The devil used this opportunity to tempt Him. This wicked oppressor challenged Jesus to turn stones into bread, jump off the pinnacle of the temple, and finally asked Him to fall down and worship him.

How did Jesus withstand these temptations? He quoted scripture. Verses 4, 7, and 10 relate Jesus’ responses to the devil. The result was that the devil went away from Him, but only for a season (Luke 4:13). Resisting temptation is certainly a way in which we can live like Jesus.

Matthew 5 is part of what we commonly refer to as The Sermon On The Mount. This sermon is filled with instructions from Jesus about a variety of issues, things we need to do to be like Him. One of these concerned an Old Testament command to love your neighbor.

In this second example, Jesus took this to a higher level when He told His audience that they should not only love their neighbor but also their enemy. This was difficult for the Jews to hear, and it is also difficult for us.

Jesus went from place to place, teaching and preaching. On one such occasion, He had been preaching in the synagogues in Galilee. A leper came to Him, begging Him for help. Scripture says, “Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, ‘I will; be clean’” (Mark 1:41).

In this story, we see how moved Jesus could be by the troubles of others. The ability to show compassion was present over and over in the Lord’s daily life. We see Him always ready to help someone in need.

Because of the tremendous amount of time and effort Jesus spent in teaching and healing, He often found Himself surrounded by crowds of people still wanting to hear more and see more miracles.

One such occasion He was found late in the day with a huge crowd of hungry people and no provisions for them. The disciples wanted Him to send the people away, but Jesus wasn’t willing to do that.

The disciples were concerned about the money it would take to feed such a large group, but Jesus had a different agenda. He said, “You give them something to eat” (Mark 6:37). The disciples found a young man with five loaves of bread and two little fish; and with that, Jesus fed 5,000 men plus whatever number of women and children were there. He even had leftovers!

Lastly, Simon Peter stood with Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. There Jesus asked Peter a question. “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17).

Three times Jesus asked Peter this question, and three times Peter answered Him, “Lord you know that I love you”. You can almost feel the frustration in Peter’s answers. But Peter had denied the Lord three times just before Jesus’ crucifixion. Peter had to have been thinking about that as he assured Jesus of his devotion, and Jesus surely had forgiven him since He was instructing this wayward disciple to feed His sheep.

There are so many examples we could use, but these will certainly give us something on which to focus. What do these examples teach us about being like Jesus?

First, we need to learn what the Bible says. We can’t possibly teach it or know what we need to do unless we know the scripture. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15).

Second, we must love our enemies. “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” Matthew 5:44-45. 

Third, we have to show compassion for others. “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind” (I Peter 3:8).

Fourth, we must learn to forgive. “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).

Jesus knew His Father’s will. He loved even those who murdered Him. He showed compassion even when He was tired and needed rest. He saw the person with the need, not just the need. He forgave even when He was physically abused.

Can we do any less? We can’t, if we want to be like Jesus.

Sandra Oliver