Matthew 10:5a, 21-33

A True Role Model

            Imitation is the highest form of flattery, as they say. But it always depends on the context. I haven’t met any person that enjoyed being copied by a younger or older sibling. And if you copy your boss in the workplace, it may not yield the result you want. But there is something to be said for us growing up. As a small child, we look to those older to show us how to accomplish difficult tasks. Monkey see, monkey do. Yes, we often call children sponges because that is how they learn. They watch and imitate what others do in order to build up their own skills. It’s both the benefit and struggle of being a parent. You get to see them learn and grow… but you also get a mirror to show you exactly what you do and say. But don’t think this is only children who do this. Even as adults, we constantly rely on watching others and building on their knowledge and expertise. This is how we grow in a profession, or in hobbies, or as a person in general. You find someone you admire, who does something better than you, and you imitate them. For of all days, today being Father’s Day makes this uniquely important. Of course, the first people children will imitate are their parents. While indeed both parents are essential to the growth of a child, today is particularly about dads. It’s the day when we recognize our fathers who have been there for us and taught us so much in life. But also, for dads, today is a reminder to be the type of person you want your kids to imitate. And they will be eternally blessed to have you as a father.

            For today, we must turn and watch our Lord so that we may learn from him. Let us imitate our Lord to grow in faith and love towards God and one another. This is our goal in faith, to become more like Christ and less like ourselves. So let us watch, and learn today:

IT IS ENOUGH TO BE LIKE JESUS…

I.

            For what does it mean to be like Jesus? Is it doing everything the exact same way that he does? No. For if we tried to be exactly like Jesus, we would never succeed because it’s impossible. Only Jesus can truly be Jesus. We’re sinners, incapable of living the same perfect life which he lived. But that doesn’t mean we can’t learn from him, follow after him, or even walk in his footsteps. If we’re to do that, we must watch. We must listen. Only then will we be able to more closely imitate our Lord. His love, his grace, his forgiveness. We take all the best traits and seek to make them our own. Which means, it’s a process. A slow step-by-step climb towards habits that nourish and fill rather than those that kill and destroy. As Jesus said, “It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master,” Matthew 10:25. While we can’t become fully sinless by our own power, we strive to control our sinful passions. We look to Jesus to follow him in everything he does. This is the command of faith, as Jesus tells us, “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven,” Matthew 10:32-33. We mustn’t be afraid of being like Jesus lest Jesus become unwilling to associate with us.

            For if we truly give ourselves over to the work of the Spirit to become like our teacher and Lord, we must also understand what naturally comes with it. Hear it straight from Jesus, “If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household,” Matthew 10:25. If you wish to be a disciple of Jesus, then be ready to endure the same struggles and hardships which our Lord faced. For if you think our political sphere can get heated right now, it’s nothing in comparison with how much Satan and our world despises Christ and his Church. Simply for bearing the name of Christ, you’ll be persecuted, and hated, and singled out among all people. And the time is coming when they shall desire to put you to death simply for the faith you believe (Matthew 10:21-22). For it is enough to be like Jesus, to bear our cross and suffer just as he did for our faith.

II.

            But if you become like Jesus, if you grow in the faith of Jesus, you’ll be able to endure as Jesus did. It won’t matter what this world seeks to do to you, for you’ll know and be strengthened by your faith in God above all else. For as Jesus said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell,” Matthew 10:28. Even if the worst this world can do to you is to put you to death, you know the one who is Lord over death and life! So, fear not, nor be dismayed by this world’s feeble attempts to silence you. We’ve been given the very Gospel of Christ to proclaim to the whole world, again as Jesus said, “What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops,” Matthew 10:27. We can’t stay quiet about our faith. We can’t hide in the corner and hope no one notices us so we can slide below the radar. Our faith must be shouted from rooftops!

            It is enough to be like Jesus, to join him in his pain and suffering that we may also join him in his faith. It’s enough to be like Jesus because Jesus chose to become like us. In God’s eternal love for us, he gave us Jesus who became like we are in sin so that we may be like him in his righteousness and holiness. Yes, it’s enough to be like Jesus who suffered the cross and grave for you and me, who gave his body and soul for us that we may never have to taste the sting of death! This is what it means to be like Jesus, to have faith in God above all things and in Jesus Christ and the victory he won for us. By this, we may evermore share in his grace, his mercy, his forgiveness and love for one another. For by becoming like Jesus, we may rest in the strength and comfort of knowing God’s love and care for us, as Jesus tells us, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows,” Matthew 10:29-31. Indeed, you’re precious in our Lord’s eyes and he will not let you fall outside of his gracious care. Now or ever.

            So, let us strive after our Lord, watching all that he does so we may become more like him. Let us walk by faith through the trials and challenges of this world, comforted by our Lord’s love for us displayed on the cross. And let us confess Jesus in all that we say and do and it will be enough for us to be with him for all eternity! In Jesus’ name! Amen!