Do as Jesus Did

As we continue our study of focusing on Christ, we now come to His words which exhort, "I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you," John 13:15. The context relates to service and being under the authority of another. This carries on from our previous lesson that we should learn from Christ. But now we are being taught to do as Christ.

I can think of no better scripture in light of our subject than the story of Christ turning water into wine. We are all familiar with it, so I won't go into any of the details, except one which is often passed over. Christ's mother was concerned when the wine ran out at the wedding. Wine is symbolic of the joy of the Holy Spirit. Jesus replied to His mother that true wine would not be available until after His death, resurrection, and ascension. Of course, this went right over His mother's head. Yet, Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew this much about her Son. She knew that what He said came to pass. So she said to the servants around them, "Whatever He says to you, do it," Jn. 2:5. And you know the rest of the story.

Whatever He says to you, do it. Those are the words that stand out to me. The word do is from the Greek verb, poieo. Though it has over 80 translations, here in our context is means to do,to act, to execute. In Romans 9:28, we read, "For the Lord will execute (poieo) His word...thoroughly and quickly."

Blessings for the faithful doer of God's Word

Let there be no mistake, we as believers are to act upon and execute God's Word. There are blessings untold for those who do so. "Blessed if you do...," John 13:17.

Now getting back to Christ's Word, "Do as I did," let us recall that He speaks of being under authority. Those under authority execute the commands or instructions of their superior. Christ spoke many times that He was under His Father's authority. You and I as believers are under Christ's authority. And He says, "Do as I did."

If we are focused upon our Lord, filled with the Spirit, residing in the Sphere of Faith, we are able to execute even as Christ acted upon God's Word. Hear His words.

• My food is to do the will of God and accomplish His work, Jn. 4:34
• I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me, Jn. 5:30
• I always do the things that are pleasing to Him, Jn. 8:29.

Christ is saying above that we are to do as He did, and seek not our will, but the will of our Heavenly Father, who, in eternity past, has provided us with all we will ever need and beyond all we could ever ask. Act and be blessed.

We defeat and go against our best interests when we have a Me First attitude. Yet, it is simply anathema to our carnal nature, our ego- centricity, and our foolish pride to say "no" to self and "yes" to God. But if we are to say "yes" to God, we first must say, "no" to self. Hear James,

You ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that," James 4:15.

If we take this attitude, humbling ourself before our Creator and Redeemer, the gates of heaven shall open, and God shall lavish upon us blessings beyond all that we could ask or think.