Matthew 10:24-25 “A disciple is not above his teacher, or a slave above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for a disciple to become like his teacher and a slave like his master. If they called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much more the members of his household!”

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Who Is Like Jesus? PERSECUTION

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2 Timothy 3:12 ESV “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted“

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Great evidence that you are following Jesus is people are following you. Let me explain. The Greek word for persecute means, “To follow.” People followed Jesus all the time. They tried to catch Him doing or saying something they could use to arrest Him or have Him Killed. People will follow/persecute the true followers of Christ with the same evil intentions. Jesus never hid this from us. He told us this is part of the cost of being His disciple. 

Luke 9:23 KJV “And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

True Christians bear a cross. Carnal believers seek a life of ease. If you consider yourself a Christian and no one is bothering you, following you, or persecuting you, I’d be very concerned. Because according to Jesus’ own words, you can’t be following Him. God says all who DESIRE to live a godly life WILL be persecuted. So what do you think happens to the person who actually lives that godly life? Persecution for sure. But oh how blessed they are to suffer for the Lord:

Matthew 5:10-12 CSB “BLESSED are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS THEIRS. ¹¹ “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. ¹² BE GLAD AND REJOICE, because YOUR REWARD IS GREAT IN HEAVEN. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Who Is Like Jesus? POVERTY

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2 Corinthians 8:9 LEB ”For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, for your sake he became poor, in order that you, by his poverty, may become rich.”

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Who do you know has this world’s stuff; MONEY, etcetera and would give it all up to serve and enrich others spiritually? (Matthew 6:24) A better question is am I like that? Do I even aspire to be that way? Like Jesus? Because that’s who Jesus is:

1 John 4:17 NLT “And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So WE WILL NOT BE AFRAID ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT, but we can face him with confidence because WE LIVE LIKE JESUS here in this world.”

The person who seeks to be like Jesus in this world has confidence in the day of Judgment. They can boldly face God. What a blessing! Love is the key that opens the door. Selfishness locks it. 

Isn’t it interesting that people who live this life of love are often slandered as Jesus was? I believe one reason for this is they show others up though it is not their intention. They affect the consciences of others without even knowing it. They prove that a person can live without all this world’s stuff and still be happy. This upsets carnal Christians. Carnal Christians live for themselves while claiming Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The worldly Christian knows a true Christian when they see one. They’re a constant reminder of what they are not. This irritates carnal believers.

Jesus left the mansions and glory of heaven to come to the ghetto; earth. Not only that he chose to live a life of poverty while here. Jesus did not grow up with a silver spoon in His mouth. He was all about enriching others with true riches, eternal wealth. Think about that; God in the flesh living impoverished, in unfavourable circumstances. No wonder he perfectly understands the poor.

Luke 4:16-18 NLT “When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: 18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. He has sent me to proclaim that CAPTIVES WILL BE RELEASED, that the blind will see, that THE OPPRESSED WILL BE SET FREE.” 

Who Is Like Jesus? BEGGARY

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Luke 9:57-58 NLT “As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

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Do you think this person still wanted to follow Jesus after Jesus let him know He had nowhere to stay? How many people would follow Jesus if they knew it would result in them becoming homeless? Only a few. Jesus always tells people exactly what it means to be His disciple. There is no fine print with Him.

Did you know that the word Poverty in 1 Corinthians 8:9 in Greek means BEGGARY? What!!! You’re telling me that God in the flesh lived like a beggar? And He chose this lifestyle to best serve and save us? Yes. Remember Judas was over the moneybag that stored the donations received for Jesus’ ministry. Jesus relied on His Father who provided for Him through support from others. Our Lord didn’t work a secular job for the last 3 and a half years of his life on earth. He literally was what we call homeless. Very few people ever learn the secret of serving God in this way. And very few people will become homeless for the same reason Jesus did. Paul the apostle could say:

1 Corinthians 4:11 ISV “We are hungry, thirsty, dressed in rags, brutally treated, and homeless, right up to the present.”

Remember the rich young ruler who also wanted to follow Jesus? The one Jesus told to sell his possessions and give to the poor then come and follow Him (homeless Jesus)? Remember how he went away sad? He wasn’t ready to follow Jesus like he thought, was he? Did you know that Jesus taught this teaching; selling one’s possessions and giving to the poor to ALL of his disciples? It was fundamental as forgiveness, or honoring one’s parents. We never hear about that teaching much, do we? We always hear about the rich young ruler like he’s the only one who has a problem with money. We all have a problem with money. Some bigger than others.

Luke 12:33 ESV “SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS, and GIVE TO THE NEEDY. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.”

Jesus wasn’t only talking to the rich young ruler when He said the next passage too. He’s talking to all:

Matthew 6:24 CSB “No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Jesus just said we will love money and hate God or we will hate money and love God. That’s what he said. Use money for what you need it for. Don’t let money use you. Make money to care for God-given responsibilities and needs. Don’t let money make you. The early church fully understood Jesus’ teachings about material possessions. That’s why they willingly sold them (houses even) and gave to the poor in need:

Acts 2:44-45 NL “And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.”

Acts 4:32-37 NLT “All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they SHARED EVERYTHING THEY HAD. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because THOSE WHO OWNED LAND OR HOUSES WOULD SELL THEM 35 and bring the money to the apostles TO GIVE TO THOSE IN NEED. 36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.”

Who Is Like Jesus? MOSES

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Before we say, “No one can really live that way,” remember Moses? Here’s a guy who is a prince of Egypt; the most powerful country in the world at that time. He gave it all up to be mistreated with those poor, peasant, Hebrew slaves. Moses went from prince of Egypt; perhaps next in line to be king, to sheepherder, the lowest occupation to the Egyptians. But God used this man greatly because this man had a great heart, a heart like Jesus’.

Hebrews 11:24–29 CSB “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter ²⁵ and CHOSE TO SUFFER WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin. ²⁶ For he considered REPROACH FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST to be GREATER WEALTH THAN THE TREASURES OF EGYPT, since he was looking ahead to the reward. ²⁷ By faith HE LEFT EGYPT BEHIND, not being afraid of the king’s anger, for Moses persevered as one who sees him who is invisible. ²⁸ By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites. ²⁹ By faith they crossed the Red Sea as though they were on dry land. When the Egyptians attempted to do this, they were drowned.”

James 1:9 LEB “Now let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his high position.”

Who Is Like Jesus? SELF-CONTROL

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Proverbs 15:1 CSB “A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.”

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Who will exhibit the fruit of the Spirit’s self-control like Jesus? Though He was accused, ridiculed, and pursued it didn’t change who he was. He didn’t let His attackers get the best of Him. In fact, while dying on the cross (for them) He prayed that God would FORGIVE them for their sins. (Luke 23:33-34) WOW! Is it our practice to pray for those who persecute us as Jesus commands? (Matthew 5:43-48) 

Can we see the big picture here? That it’s not all about us? That we’re privileged to be here in God’s movie called life? Being like Jesus becomes easier to do then. All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We can only enjoy God’s forgiveness if we are willing to give it to others. (Matthew 6:14-15) The eternal fate of all human beings is at stake. We can be used by God in His movie to shine like stars that lead many to righteousness. (Daniel 12:3) Or we can just be an extra in God’s movie who will never receive any award. We can never earn eternal life. God freely gives it to all who believe in Jesus. To those who aspire to be like Him. Being like Jesus is worth it. 

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