Why Should We Admire Jesus

Ask anyone off the street, "What do you know or think about Jesus?" More than likely, most would say, that he was a good man, who taught people to love one another. That he taught people to give to the poor or that he attended to the sick and the needy. Many would say that they admire him and even go as far as to follow some of his teachings.

If we dare to look a little deeper into his life, I believe most people would be surprised to find out that what they truly admire was his relationship to his Father.

Jesus was often asked, by what authority did he say and do the things he did. His response was quite unexpected and alarming to those who questioned him.

He said, " I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." John 5:19

In essence, Jesus never took credit for his ministry or anything he did, but rather he pointed to his Father as the source of his life and activity.

His disciple Philip once asked, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus replied, "Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work." John 14:10

What people truly admire about Jesus and his ministry was in fact his intimate relationship with his Father. This being the case, there should be no need to fear the kind of relationship God invites everyone to enter through the life of his Son. If we can admire Jesus and his ministry then we must also admire his relationship to his Father.

And what was that relationship like? Philippians 2:5 (tells us) Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

(1) He did not consider himself equal to his Father but rather, he chose to be Submissive. He wanted only to please his Father in everything he did.
(2) He made himself into the very nature of a Servant. By serving his Father, it was Jesus' desire to be a servant to all men.
(3) He humbled himself. Jesus never lorded his authority as the Son over anyone, instead he chose to identify himself with the common everyday person.
(4) He became obedient. Jesus trusted his Father with his very life, and he freely gave his life to us because it was his Father's will to do so.

There you have it. If you are one of those who admires Jesus the man and the ministry. Then know that you are a hairs breath away from truly knowing God the Father, through the life of the Son.

Just something to think about...