Dear Trekker,
(As we end our 11th year of writing “Passing the Baton” and enter the 2016 New Year, I wonder so often “what are your thoughts,” my dear reader and friend? I do enjoy hearing from you!)
Friend and wife Barbara asked me a few days ago, “What are you writing on this month?” I responded, “Well, as usual, I have two or three subjects germinating in my mind and heart! I really won’t know what I am to say until the Spirit says, ‘Take pen in hand and write.’”
Well, I got surprised this morning! In my daily reading of Scriptures it hit me full force that, 1) I want to be more like Jesus in 2016, and 2) I was to write about what I was meditating on… Matthew 12:1-21, Psalm 15 and Proverbs 3:21-26.
Virtually immediately, the strains of a familiar old hymn came into my mind. Holy Spirit inspired, without question. Oh, I am so thankful to have been born into a singing family… my Dad, my Mom, and all four older sisters sang, read music and enjoyed “making a joyful noise unto the Lord.” “I Would Be Like Jesus” is an old hymn of aspiration (1911) written by a James Rowe and set to music by a Bentley Ackley. The hymn opens, “Earthly pleasures vainly call me, I would be like Jesus. Nothing worldly shall enthrall me, I would be like Jesus.” The chorus carries the theme… “Be like Jesus, this my song, in the home and in the throng; Be like Jesus, all day long! I would be like Jesus.” Whew, what a challenge! What a goal! What a lift!
I was reading Matthew 12 in my Living Bible translation. The story you may recall… the Pharisees (always detractors, never encouragers) badgered Jesus about healing a man on the Sabbath day, a day of rest. In verse 11 Jesus says: “If you had just one sheep and it fell into a well on the Sabbath, would you work to rescue it that day? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep? Yes, it is (always) right to do good on the Sabbath!” And so he healed the man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees, blind leaders of the blind, called a meeting to plot Jesus’ arrest and death. But the Lord was not deterred. He moved on, followers increased, healings continued and Jesus downplayed His miracle. (Why not… they were “normal” for the Great Physician!)
Matthew quotes the Old Testament prophet Isaiah with these words (Ch.12:18-21), “Look at my Servant. See my Chosen One. He is my beloved, in whom my soul delights. I will put my Spirit upon him, and He will judge the nations. He does not fight nor shout; He does not raise his voice! He does not crush the weak, or quench the smallest hope! He will end all conflict with his final victory, and his name shall be the hope of all the world (for he shall save the people from their sins).” Yes, I will strive to be like Jesus for lasting change in the New Year. Who wouldn’t?
Then a few moments later (according to my reading plan), I read these words in Psalm 15: “Who may go and find refuge (from a sinful world) and shelter (worship) in your tabernacle up on your holy hill (of Calvary)? Anyone who leads a blameless life and is truly sincere. Anyone who refuses to slander others, does not listen to gossip, never harms his neighbors, speaks out against sin, criticizes those committing it, commends the faithful followers of the Lord, keeps a promise even if it ruins him, does not crush his debtor with high interest rates, and refuses to testify against the innocent despite the bribes offered him – such a man shall stand firm forever.” That is Jesus!
When it comes to a new year, trekker, let’s think big! But keep it simple… be like Jesus! Be good! Do good! Lower volume! Raise up the fallen one! Give hope! Forgive and forget! Be blameless in all things! Spurn gossip. Call it out for what it is. Call sin, sin. (Remember sin is literally “missing the mark” and we all have done it. But it needs to be identified!) Encourage your friends and fellow believers particularly! Keep your cool and your word. Be above reproach. Yes, yes, be like Jesus!
New Year’s resolutions are a great opportunity for change for the better. But how many resolutions have already withered in 2016? No doubt some for many and many for some. Let’s have a year-long resolution fellow trekker, simply, “be like Jesus.” Obviously we can’t do this in the flesh or all at once. But the good news is forgiveness for our past failures and hope by and in the Spirit for future success. As believers, remember trekker, we are always to be growing out of our sin and sins into His likeness by the power of His Spirit. Daily we are called to newness of life, not wallowing in the dark muck of sin! And…we only stop doing wrong when we start doing right! Our life is not a vacuum.
The Proverbs passage (3:21-26) contains the theme: “Have two goals: wisdom – that is, knowing and doing right – and common sense. Don’t let them slip away for they fill you with living energy, and bring you (and Christ) honor and respect. They keep you safe from defeat and disaster and from stumbling off the trail. (Good challenge for a trekker!) With them (wisdom and common sense) on guard, you can sleep without fear; you need not be afraid of disaster or the plots of wicked men (or nations), for the Lord is with you; he protects you.” Amen!
Jesus is the epitome of every proverb. He was and is the perfect God man. Who wouldn’t want to be like Jesus? Let’s get to know Him better in 2016, trekker! We will become like the One with whom we spend time! The siren call of earthly pleasures will not cease, but our focus will be on Jesus alone. As we accept our failures and brokenness (always the result of sin), we can be healed and thereby gain wholeness.
Nothing the world has can compete with… “just give me Jesus.” In 2016, and so long as we all shall live. Have a great 2016, trekker!!
Your friend,
Jim Meredith