Becoming More Like Jesus

By Dean Collins

How many times, as you have read the Bible, listened to a sermon, or sung a worship song, have you thought that you would like to be more like Jesus? If you are a follower of Christ, it is a natural aspiration. To become more like Jesus requires that, as we mature in our faith, we gradually allow the Holy Spirit to transform both our hearts and minds. That transformation then changes our attitudes and actions toward people and the things the world has to offer.

Matthew 9:35–38 always stops me in my tracks because of how Matthew describes Jesus. Here are the actions of Jesus in this one paragraph:

Jesus went.
Jesus taught.
Jesus healed.
Jesus saw.
Jesus had compassion.
Jesus said.

If I want to be more like Jesus, then practicing or employing these actions would likely bring me into alignment with Jesus, resulting in my life bearing more resemblance to the One who saved me from sin and gave me life. It appears that taking on these behaviors of Jesus isn’t actually out of reach.

Jesus went. We know from Scripture that his primary mode of travel was walking. Since biblical scholars are interested in details, a couple of sources suggest that Jesus walked about 3,100 miles during his three-year ministry. I assume that estimate is based only on what we know from Scripture and other historical information and doesn’t include what we don’t know. Surely Jesus did some walking that we don’t have recorded. I don’t think Jesus had an Apple Watch to count his steps!

Most of us travel significantly more in a year than Jesus did. To be like Jesus means that we can’t just sit idle and fulfill our calling. Wherever we go, we are ambassadors of the kingdom of God. Where did Jesus go? To homes, to the synagogue, to the temple, and along mountain and seaside paths. Sometimes we know he traveled with determination. For instance, we know that he set his face toward Jerusalem as he began the journey that would culminate in his crucifixion. Other times, it seems he took more leisurely walks with his disciples, teaching them about his kingdom.

Jesus taught. He regularly shared his knowledge of Scripture and of his Father’s intentions. When we share God’s truth, it is best to stay in the lane of Scripture if we want to be consistent with his message.

Jesus healed. I suspect that, like me, you have prayed for friends, family members, and strangers who were sick. Many times, healing did occur. Sometimes it didn’t. Praying for physical healing is appropriate, but don’t forget that we are also to pray for spiritual healing. And don’t forget that our words of kindness and grace can be used by God in the healing process.

Jesus saw. This suggests that he wasn’t staring at the ground or at his phone or screen, as we so often have the habit of doing. He took time to see people. One of my regular prayers is, “Open my eyes to see what you see.” When I bother to pray that prayer, it is amazing how much more I see people instead of stuff.

Jesus had compassion for others. The more we see people, the more God will move our hearts toward compassion for them. Without compassion, we are simply spectators and not participants in the kingdom of God.

Jesus said. He spoke to people. It seems pretty obvious that we might do the same, yet our busyness and pursuit of so many things in life often keep us from taking time to simply speak to the people in front of us or beside us in the store, the restaurant, or on a walk.

Maybe today is a good day to try to embrace these simple activities we see in this passage. Today might just be the day that you bring light and life into someone’s world.

Father, today we commit to taking steps to be more like Jesus. As we go, we ask that you open our eyes and our hearts to those around us. Use our words and actions to bring healing and life to someone so that they might experience you through our actions. Thank you for your great compassion for us. Today, we are determined to show compassion to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Matthew 9:35–38 ESV

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