WWJD?
WWJD? (What would Jesus do?) has become a popular logo on
jewelry and clothing, a kind of shorthand message to call to mind Jesus'
examples and teachings at moments of decision. It’s a good question! But to
answer it, we need to know what Jesus actually DID do.
HE WAS KIND TOWARD THE VULNERABLE. In Matt. 12.20, we read that Jesus fulfilled
the following prophecy from Isaiah: "A battered reed He will not break off…until
He leads justice to victory." Christ was gentle toward those who were powerless
or damaged.
HE DIDN'T SEEK REVENGE. "…While being reviled, He did not revile in return;
while suffering, He uttered no threats" (1 Pet. 2.23). When Jesus was hated, He
did not "give way to hating." (Kipling)
“HE WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD” (Acts 10.38). Perhaps the best summary of Jesus’
earthly ministry! Not only gentle toward the vulnerable, He took concrete steps
to ease their pain. He fed the hungry and comforted the broken-hearted. Jesus’
followers need to be on the lookout for good that we can do.
HE PRAYED---A LOT! Luke 6.12 says that Jesus "went of to the mountain to pray,
and He spent the whole night in prayer to God." We are commanded in First
Thessalonians 5.17 to "pray without ceasing." For Jesus, prayer was no mere
ritual or exercise...it was ongoing communion in with his Father. And
that's how He teaches us to pray.
HE OBEYED HIS FATHER. Although sinless, He was still baptized by his cousin,
John the Baptist. When John tried to prevent it, Jesus said, "Permit it at this
time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." (Matt.
3.15) If the sinless Christ needed to be baptized to please His father, how much
more do we sinners need the waters of baptism, especially since that is where
forgiveness of sins is obtained? (See Acts 22.16). It is a reflection of the
cross of Christ where He made “all righteousness” available for us! Obeying is
not just something we do in baptism; it is a lifestyle, an expression of faith
WWJD? is a great question to ask when confronted with a decision with spiritual,
moral or ethical implications. Let us make sure our answers to that question are
rooted firmly in what the Bible says about what Jesus actually did! And what
Jesus did was based on whom He loved, trusted and served. Let's follow His
example.
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