Messiah is Our Example

Posted on 11/30/2011 by goodnewsfromadistantland — Leave a comment

In the New Testament, we are told that Messiah Yahushua [the Hebrew name for Christ Jesus] is our example, and that we should follow in His steps (1Peter 2:21; 1John 2:6; John 13:15).

We must then ask ourselves, “What is His example?”

The apostle Paul tells us seven steps to consider in following Messiah’s example

Let this mind [attitude] be in you, which was also in Messiah Yahushua, …
Who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped: But He made Himself of no reputation (He emptied Himself), and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)

1. Messiah Did Not Grasp

Yahushua [Jesus] existed in the form of God from the beginning, yet His heart was not of a grasping spirit. He did not strive for, or grasp at, His ‘rights’ of equality. This is our first ‘footstep’ example — to cease striving, cease the grasping, selfish spirit — stop demanding our ‘rights’.

2. Messiah Emptied Himself

He made Himself of ‘no reputation’ — He emptied Himself. Yahushua emptied Himself of all ambition for position or recognition. He emptied Himself of ‘Self’ and lived the sacrificial life. He had a genuine heart-attitude of seeking Father’s will by saying things like, “I do always those things that please Father;” and “Not My will, but Your will, Father, be done” (John 8:29; Luke 22:42). This is our second ‘footstep’ example — to surrender our lives to Yahuwah, seeking to do His will, seeking to please Him.

3. Messiah Took Upon Him the Form of A Servant

Yahushua had a servant’s heart that was well pleasing to His Father. Yahushua described Himself as “meek and lowly in heart.” Yahushua was, and is, among us as “He that serves.” As a servant, Yahushua was willing to do the menial and dirty jobs. He was willing to be afflicted for us. He exhorted His disciples to follow His example of servanthood, “Do as I have done” (Matt 12:18; Matt 11:29; Luke 22:27; John 13:5-15). This is our third ‘footstep’ example — to be as a servant among family, friends, and fellow-workers.

4. Messiah Came In The Likeness of Man

Yahushua had to be made like His brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest, thus making reconciliation for the sins of the people. Yahushua is not someone who does not understand the feelings of our infirmities! Yahushua was, in every way, tempted like as we are, and yet He was without sin. Because He Himself suffered by being tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted (Heb 4:15; Heb 2:17, 18). This is our fourth ‘footstep’ example — to show mercy to others, to recognize our own weaknesses, and not be high-minded [arrogant] in our thinking or our behaviour.

5. As A Man, Messiah Humbled Himself

Yahushua considered Himself of ‘no reputation’ and therefore He was not ‘SELF’-seeking. He was as a common, simple man in reverent submission to His earthly parents, as well as to His Heavenly Father. Yahushua’s humility attracted multitudes. Yahushua humbly served and loved people with compassion, praying for their healing wherever He went. He was meek and lowly in heart, and there was no deceit in Him. Yahushua is the greatest example of true humility! (John 8:29; Matt 4:23; Luke 4:40; Matt 11:29; Is 53:9; 1Peter5:6). This is our fifth ‘footstep’ example — to be of a genuinely humble heart, before our Heavenly Father, and before others.

6. Messiah Humbled Himself By Becoming Obedient

Yahushua was obedient to His Heavenly Father, for He said “I do always those things that please Father.” He learned obedience by the things which He suffered! By this, He ‘being made perfect’, became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him. It was fitting therefore for Father God, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings (John 8:29; Heb 5:8,9; Heb 2:10). This is our sixth ‘footstep’ example — to learn obedience to Yahuwah and His written Word, even when it is painful or difficult.

7. Messiah Became Obedient Unto Death

Yahushua was obedient and faithful unto death, even the death on the cross. He lived the self-less life and gave of Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world. He was obedient, according to the will of His Father. Yahushua tasted death for every man (Gal 1:4; Heb 2:9). This is our seventh ‘footstep’ example — to be willing to live the sacrificial life — to ‘lay down our lives for the brethren’ and be willing to ‘love not our lives even unto death’ (1John 3:16 and Revelation 12:11).

Therefore . . .

Because Messiah Yahushua walked these seven steps, then Father greatly rewarded Him:

Yahuwah Elohim [the LORD God] also has highly exalted Yahushua [Jesus], and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Yahushua Messiah every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Yahushua Messiah is Lord (Master), to the glory of Yahuwah Elohim the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Messiah’s Example

Messiah gave us the example of living the sacrificial life. His life of self-denial resulted in joy and blessings for multitudes:

… for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2b).

Messiah endured the cross – the sacrificial life. He endured the life of self-denial, even the suffering and torture of death on the cross, for our sakes, that He might bring us unto glory! (Hebrews 2:10)

The same is true for us.

Living the sacrificial life is the pathway to bringing joy and blessings to others. There is no other way to bless others, or to reveal Father’s truth to others, unless we live out the sacrificial life – living a self-LESS life, a life of self-denial.

There is no other way for us to personally know Messiah’s ‘abundant’ life and have His true inward peace than to follow His example of humility and a self-less life.

“There is no example so worthy of our imitation as is Messiah’s example.” — John Gill

Yahushua Messiah said these words:

For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. (John 13:15)

May we therefore walk as Yahushua walked (1John 2:6), in all that we do, because…

Messiah Yahushua is our example!

—

Related Articles: