Learning from the Master

Every disciple of Jesus is a learner! We’re to learn from our Master every day and become more and more like Him in the process. This is exactly what the Lord called His disciples to do, saying: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29).

The disciples of that time had living visual lessons every day as they accompanied their Lord and Master in His public ministry. And we? Today we have the four Gospels to paint His wonderful life before our eyes and enable us to learn something from Him each day.

As we read the Gospels, we’re presented with the great standard, so to speak, by which we are to measure our- selves. What do I mean by this? The Son of God is the standard for our lives—and that in many ways:

●            We are to love one another as He loved us (see John 13:34).

●            We are to forgive one another as He forgave us (see Col 3:13).

●            We are to show the same obedience that He dem- onstrated here (see 1 Pet 1:2).

●            We are to receive one another as He received us (see Rom 15:7).

●            And much more ...

 When the wife of missionary Adoniram Judson told him that he had been compared to some of the apostles in a newspaper article, Judson replied, “I don’t want to be like a Paul [...] or any other person. I want to be like Christ... I only want to follow Him, copy His teachings, drink of His spirit and put my feet in His footsteps  Oh, to be more like Christ!”

 Christ has left us an example to follow in His footsteps (see 1 Pet. 2:21). Discipleship isn’t a profession of faith, but it has specifically and practically to do with emulation. It’s particularly a matter of our inner heart, attitude and motivation. So we are not only to serve the Son of God through certain activities, but we are also to do it in the way He has exemplified for us. That is why He says, “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me” (John 12:26).

If we do this and reach out to learn from Him and live more like He lived here, then we will find rest for our souls. Then we are fulfilling our calling—and that gives true fulfilment and deep satisfaction!

Spurgeon aptly said, “When you are enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit to walk with Jesus in His footsteps and to walk in His ways, you are happiest, and you are most likely to be recognised as sons of God. For your own sake, my brothers, I say, be like Christ.”

“Many years ago a missionary came to a Chinese village and told the people about Jesus Christ. He was answered, “This Jesus you speak of lives in our village. Come, we will show him to you.” They led the preacher to an old man who had accepted the gospel in his youth and had lived as a Christian ever since. He was a letter of Christ— known and read by his fellow men.”

J.P.S.