March 18

Do as I Have Done for Your

"I have set for you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:15

What is this example that has been set before us? We need to look at the life of Jesus so that we might be like him. When we look to Jesus, what do we see? Selflessness in action. Patience in action. Kindness in action. Longsuffering in action. Love in action. Jesus was all these things and more. He gave his all for others and he gave it freely. When he was tired and those around him demanded more of his time and energy, he gave himself freely. We have been instructed to give in the same way. "Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8) Is the lesson for us that if we give freely we will not feel as if we are being pulled apart? If we exemplify Jesus in our lives, people will reach out to us. Just as people were drawn to Jesus, they will be drawn to us because he lives within us. Let us follow the example of our Savior and give of ourselves freely. Such deliberate generosity helps hurting souls and alleviates their suffering. Jesus was selflessness in action. He lived a life of giving to others. Did he get tired? Of course he did. When he got tired he went by himself and spent some time with his Father, which rejuvenated his spirit that he might continue on in his selfless giving. Let us follow the example set before us. Let us study Jesus’ life and do as he did. Let him live through us that we might be a reflection of Him to this dark world that we live in.

Father, help us to be like Your Son. Thank You for his example to us in Scripture; help us to focus on him and how he lived. Help us to live as he lived and die as he died with love and compassion for all. Make us like him in all areas of our life, that we might be worthy of being called Your children. Amen