Here are some scenes that show where Jesus’ view of earthly things was different than the people around Him. Compare yourself to Him to see where you are improving and where you need to make changes.
Jesus viewed people of faith as family, man views family by blood (Mt 12:46-50; Mk 3:33-35: Lk 8:19-21):
46 He was still speaking to the crowds when suddenly His mother and brothers were standing outside wanting to speak to Him. 47 Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.” 48 But He replied to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” 49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, that person is My brother and sister and mother.” (Mt 12:46-50)
Understand that your true and eternal family are the true believers in Jesus. They are your sibling who were born of God just like you. Did you notice that Jesus did not leave His spiritual family to go out and talk to His fleshly one? He treated His spiritual family with high importance.
Love believers with kindness and service since they are your true family.
- Imitate God by viewing believers in Jesus Christ as your true family.
Jesus viewed greatness by humility and service; the world views it differently (Mt 18:1-5; 20:26-28; Mk 9:34-35; Lk 9:46-48; Lk 22:24-26):
33 Then they came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34 But they were silent, because on the way they had been arguing with one another about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, He called the Twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mk 9:33-35. Also see Lk 22:24-27)
The apostles felt they were in a competition to be the greatest. Unfortunately, they were not measuring greatness the same way God does. Mankind defines greatness based on wealth, position, popularity, beauty, abilities, or any number of other temporary and meaningless things. But Jesus defined greatness as humility in service to others. To be the greatest among God’s people, you need to be their servant.
How do you view greatness?
Are you striving for greatness in God’s eyes or the world’s eyes?
- Imitate God by measuring greatness by your service to others.
Jesus viewed marriage as permanent, the world sees it as disposable (Mt 19:3-6):
3 Some Pharisees approached Him to test Him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on any grounds?” 4 “Haven’t you read,” He replied, “that He who created them in the beginning made them male and female,” 5 and He also said: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.” (Mt 19:3-6)
Marriage is permanent while you are on planet earth. It is a commitment, a covenant. It is a joining together of a man and woman by God as a couple which is not to be broken. It is a bond of love, not just the feeling of love but the decision to love by serving and treating each other well. Splitting is not loving.
- Imitate God by viewing marriage as permanent on earth.
Jesus wasn’t impressed by worldly accomplishments, the Apostles were (Mt 24:1-2; Mk 13:1-2; Lk 21:5-6):
As He was going out of the temple complex, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look! What massive stones! What impressive buildings!” 2 Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down!” (Mk 13:1-2)
The apostles were impressed by the Temple. From a worldly perspective it was an impressive and ornate complex but that is not how Jesus saw it. He saw it is a temporary thing and wasn’t impressed by its ‘glory’. It is easy for us to be impressed by the accomplishments of man, but they are nothing. They will all burn up and pass away some day. Keep worldly accomplishments in perspective of God’s big picture.
- Imitate God by not being impressed by the accomplishments of mankind.
Jesus didn’t view lack of resources as a barrier to what God wants done, the Apostles did:
When directed by the Lord to feed the crowd, the apostles saw the small quantity of food and money as an obstacle to accomplish what the Lord told them to do, Jesus did not (Mt 14:15-21; Mk 6:35-39; Mk 8:1-10; Lk 9:12-17; Jn 6:4-11).
Do you allow logic to get in the way of faith when God directs you to do something?
Do you hesitate to do what God has directed you to do by citing hurdles (like Moses, or the apostles) or do you do it in faith and trust?
- Imitate God and don’t let the lack of resources or abilities get in the way of ministry.
Summary:
- View marriage as permanent, not disposable (with the exception of infidelity).
- View believers as your true family.
- Measure greatness by service to others and not using worldly measures.
- Don’t be impressed by the accomplishments of mankind, they’re temporary.
- Don’t let a lack of resources / abilities stop you from doing what God wants you to do.
What areas do you need to improve to be more like Jesus?
What can you do to make changes in your life?
BIBLE DEVOTIONS FOR LIVING 