Three Reasons Why I Am Not Like Jesus

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By Tracy Phua, Singapore

I was getting myself a drink in the kitchen when I heard the familiar toot of a Nepalese bus horn. Just as I was wondering if the heat was causing me to hallucinate, I heard that characteristic honk again. Curious (and also hoping that a Narnia-like moment was awaiting me in my cupboard), I walked toward the living room. My father was watching a news program that was reporting on Nepal. I had been right after all—the distinctive bus horn was from Nepal!

There are some things that can represent a place, or even a certain person, unmistakably. To me, the unique honk was characteristic of Nepal. What about ourselves? Is there something uniquely characteristic of us? More importantly, what characteristics reveal us as followers of Jesus Christ?

In response to the above question, we need to first look at the character of Jesus Christ—what makes Him so unique. And in turn, I’ll explain why, based on those same characteristics, I need to strive to be more like Him.

1. Jesus is forgiving.
In Luke 23:33-34, we see Jesus being characteristically forgiving. As much as I don’t like to admit it, I’m not as forgiving as I would like to be. Don’t misunderstand, I don’t have a book which records who did what to me when, but I’m not the type who would bestow grace and forgiveness freely especially if I know that person did something to me on purpose. On the fateful day of His crucifixion, Jesus knew that they got the wrong guy, in fact, He was the victim; yet He gave in to the mockers and even pleaded with God for their forgiveness. If this scene does not paint the epitome of forgiveness, then I don’t know what does.

2. Jesus is courageous.
I am terrified of confrontation. I cave in to peer pressure and back off at the first sign of any potentially large disagreement. In John 2:13-17, we see Jesus confronting the social ills of His day when He overturned the stalls at the temple courts. He did not want the sellers to taint the sacred grounds of the temple by turning it into a marketplace. He fought for what He knew was right, and did not worry about how others would view Him.

3. Jesus rises early to pray.
We see in Mark 1:35 that Jesus woke up very early and went to an isolated place to pray. He had previously spent the entire day healing people and casting out demons, and was definitely exhausted. Yet, He chose to spend time with His Father, rather than curled up in bed sleeping off the weariness. I personally enjoy sleeping. In fact, who doesn’t want to clock in a 9-hour shut-eye after experiencing days of sleep debt? Well, for one—there was Jesus.

The gospel writers definitely revealed much more about Jesus to us than the aforementioned 3 attributes. But these 3 characteristics alone go to show how different I am from Jesus. I’m not saying that I’m proud of it but I’m challenged to put in greater time and effort to strive to be more like Him. I cannot and should not stay “different” from Jesus just because I like my present lifestyle. I need to pray that God will change me to become more like Him, and let Him use me in ways that He deems fit.

I am going to begin a daily Bible reading discipline, which will see me waking up earlier and sleeping later to read His Word daily. I know it’s not going to be easy, but if it’s a step I have to take in order to grow deeper in my personal relationship with Him, then it’s a few more minutes of sleep I’d gladly forgo.

YMI note:
How have you decided to change your habits in order to give more of yourself to Jesus? Share them with us! We’d love to hear it!