The Lord’s Example

"The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example."
Thomas Morell

The place of example is universally recognised. During our formative years our attitudes and behaviours are deeply shaped by the role models around us. It is by the example of others that we experience the reality of human qualities that are otherwise theoretical: patience, self-discipline, willingness to yield and change, faithfulness in marriage, piety, the ability to relax and have fun.

It is not enough for others simply to tell us what love is or what temperance is, we must be shown what these things are in a life context. Otherwise our imagination grasps, but then falters from a certain deficiency.

Most Christians believe that Jesus' life was an example for us to follow. Many would say that this example was His greatest legacy to us. Although the Writings show us that the Lord's recorded words and deeds reveal relatively little of what He actually accomplished at His coming, they do agree that His life was an example.

The Lord's life in the world was an example according to which the people of the church are to live, as the Lord Himself teaches in John (13:15,17): "I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you... If you know these things happy are you if you do them". (Apocalypse Explained 254.2)

And what was the Lord's example? He showed us Divine love, expressed in a Divinely wise way. He showed us love working for its goal: the long-term happiness of others (salvation). He showed us love in its tolerance, love in its mercy, love in its firmness and resoluteness.

Sometimes we forget that the Lord's example was the example of a teacher. We tend to think that we have done our duty if we have gone quietly about our own business with integrity, leaving others to their own lives and opinions and mistakes. We hope that our actions will bear witness to our beliefs, and that somehow others will be affected, without our tongue having to bear witness. The Lord wants us to 'let our light shine before people'. The disciples were to 'make disciples of all nations, teaching them…' They were to be willing to 'stand before kings', and face persecution and rejection, that His message might be received, that those in need might be healed.

The Lord's own example was not a passive one. He dared to do and say what was true and good, despite its unpopularity. Do we take the risk, even with our loved ones, of articulating the truth that we believe in, in the hope of bending their minds toward a happier state?

The Lord's teaching ultimately led Him to the cross, to laying down His life for His friends. We will probably never be called on to make such a sacrifice — with our physical life. But we must be following His example each day in our spiritual lives, and to the best of our ability in our natural lives.

"You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am."
(John 13:13)

"I have given you an example"
that you should do as I have done to you..."
If you know these things happy are you if you do them."
(John 13:15,17)

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
(John 15:12)

"As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."
(John 20:21)

Rev. Grant Odhner