Dub McClish
Either consciously or unconsciously, everyone has one or more role models whom he seeks to imitate. Jesus Christ alone has the right to be such because He lived a flawless life (John 8:46; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22). He therefore rightly challenges all to adopt Him as their “role model” (Luke 9:23). The apostle Paul urges us to think as the Savior thought (Phi. 2:5–9). Consider some of Jesus’ character traits:
• Unselfish: He “emptied himself” and completely subjected His own will to that of His Father (Phi. 2:7; John 6:38; Mat. 26:36).
• Loving: It was not nails, but supreme love for the souls of sinners that principally kept Jesus on the cross (1 John 3:16; Eph. 3:19, 25).
• Hated sin: He was the “Lamb of God,” offering Himself for the sins of all mankind (John 1:29; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 John 2:2). This hatred of sin also kept Him on the cross.
• Concerned for souls: This concern grew out of His love for sinners and hatred of sin. Thus He came “to seek and to save” the lost” (Luke 19:10; John 12:47; 1 Tim. 1:15; 2:6).
• Compassionate: This trait flowed from His unselfishness and love. He was “moved with compassion”—and acted—on numerous occasions (Mat. 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; et al.).
• Prayerful: He prayed privately, in the presence of His disciples, and publicly (Mat. 26:39–44; Mark 8:6; Luke 9:28; 11:1; et al.). He taught His disciples how to pray (Mat. 6:9–15).
• Hard worker: He “had no leisure” even to eat (Mark 6:31). He once worked all day and prayed all night (Luke 6:1–12). He forgot hunger for food because of His work (John 4:34).
• Servant: He came down to serve His Father (as noted), but also to serve men and their needs. He came not to be served (as an earthly king), but to serve (Mat. 20:28; Phi. 2:7).
• Revered Scripture: Every comment He made regarding it reflected absolute reverence for it (Mat. 5:17–19; 22:29; Luke 24:27, 44; John 10:35; et al.). He called it “truth” (John 17:17).
• Opposed false teachers: Moved by reverence for Truth, He warned of and refuted them (Mat. 7:15–20; 15:6, 9; 16:6– 12; 22:15–46). He revealed their sad end (Mat. 15:13–14).
• Was willing to suffer: He was the constant object of persecution (Mat. 16:1; 22:35; Mark 2:7–8; John 5:16; 11:47– 53). He willingly suffered betrayal, denial, and crucifixion, not for sins or crimes He committed, but for those of others.
• Obedient: He obeyed His Father perfectly and was thereby sinless and qualified to be our sin offering (Mat. 26:39; John 15:10; Phi. 2:8; Heb. 5:8).
Jesus is our perfect role model!
