True or False? Someone who is Christlike:
1. Shows unlimited patience.
2. Doesn't get angry.
3. Refuses to be negative or critical.
4 Forgives everyone.
5. Tells all the truth, all the time.
6. Has a smile for every occasion.
7. Responds alike to all.
8. Avoids the company of unbelievers.
9. Condemns unprincipled people.
10. Speaks well of everyone.
11. Avoids conflict.
12. Is at peace with all.
In my view, these are all false impressions. Yet it's important for us to consider them. If we are not careful, we can make the mistake of thinking of our Lord as we might look at a statue of "the good shepherd" standing in the park.
The many attitudes of Christ. The Gospel accounts make it clear that our Lord was not unlimited in patience. On two occasions He turned over the tables of the money-changers in His Father's house (John 2:15; Matthew 21:12). He took issue with the self-centered attitudes of His friends (Matthew 20:20-28) and confronted religious leaders who were exploiting their followers (Matthew 23:1-39).
Although He never lied, He did not tell all of the truth to those who were not ready for it (John 2:24; Matthew 13:10-15). He wasn't always happy (Isaiah 53:1-4). Sometimes He cried (Luke 19:41; John 11:35; 12:27). He cared even for His enemies, but had a special affection for broken people who loved Him (Luke 6:27-36; John 14:21-23).
Even though no one could rightly accuse Him of wrong, He had a reputation for spending time with "public sinners" (Luke 7:34-39). He refused to condemn immoral people and reserved His harshest criticism for religious leaders who regularly condemned others (John 3:17; Matthew 15:7-14).
His followers considered Him a model of mental health, yet in His own day His enemies accused Him of being full of the devil, and His own friends and family thought He had gone mad (John 10:20; Mark 3:21).
One phrase that explains many attitudes. One of Jesus' disciples summarized the life of his Teacher with just a few words. According to John, the rabbi who changed his life was "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
Every attitude our Lord expressed was rooted in a concern for others based on understanding. He healed, comforted, cried, taught, prayed, turned over the tables of the money changers and confronted religious leaders because He understood the needs of others--and He cared. He spoke the truth with a heart of love.
Mart De Haan |
