Modeling Jesus

This past weekend, one of my good comrades hosted a men's retreat on a beautiful piece of property In Dadeville, Alabama. If you are a man living in the world, but not of it, then you will know the importance of just getting away with a group of guys for a few days. The theme that seemed to be lingering around the entire weekend was "having a paradigm shift" in our personal journey with God. As humans, our thought patterns are influenced by so much: our own christian communities, comparison, our ability to deviate from spiritual and moral truths, and a lack of self-awareness. These types of things hinder us from having a new thought about God and ourselves.
   Throughout the gospels, we can see that Jesus was engaging, compassionate, intentional, direct, wise, present, and simply curious. He was not curious because he didn't know everything; he simply humbled himself to the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7-8). What a great example of how men should be walking! Jesus emptied himself into the likeness of men. Did you catch that? Not only did Jesus give a physical example of what us as believers (men and women) should be walking in, but in this segment, I want to stay on the subject of men. As a man living in a corrupt world system that tells me that I need to behave, know everything, and assert myself as more dominant than others, I would much rather look at the life of Jesus.
   Any time I go through the gospels, I am astounded the beauty and humility of Jesus. Let's take a look at one of my favorite passages in Luke 2:

“Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress." And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:41-52 ESV

   In verse 46, Jesus' parents found him in the temple doing three things: Submitting himself to the authority of the teachers, listening, and asking questions. Take note that Jesus was only twelve years old at the time. The Son of Man, knowing what he was destined for, what he was sent on earth to do, submitted himself to learning. He was engaging, present, and curious. Because of this attitude, he grew in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and man (v 52). His wisdom came from understanding, not the other way around.

Over the weekend, my friend Cartwright who was leading this retreat said "Becoming a leader and a catalyst looks like us becoming more curious and understanding." Proverbs 1:5 says, "Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one understands obtain guidance." This is what it looks like to be a man of wisdom. True wisdom is hearing, listening, and being one who is understanding. Do you want to be understood? then seek to understand first. Do you want to be heard? then practice listening. Jesus did. I find these truths to be very evident in my marriage, relationships, ministry, and all other phases of life. Having relational values will go a long way throughout your journey with God and others.

Begin asking God:

1. What is shaping the way I see things in the world?

2. How can I look at the life of Jesus and begin walking out a reformed mindset?