What Would Jesus Do?
Let’s do something a bit lighter today, without compromising truth. I heard this song and thought it was a good one to share today. In the last post, If God Permits, we considered God’s sovereignty, as well as His desire for us to turn from sin and towards right living. Well, when we are struggling to know if God permits something, a good question to ask is, ‘What would Jesus do?’ If you were aware of what was going on in American society 20+ years ago, you surely remember the WWJD bracelets. This song by CAIN addresses these bracelets and the question in the first verse of the song:
I grew up with a bracelet
Wrapped around my wrist
4 letters to remind me
Who my example is
Well I know it went out of style
Somewhere around ‘03
That question’s an old question
But it still needs answering
Full disclosure: I did not wear these bracelets. I also mocked my friends who would wear these for years during my self-professed ‘atheist years’. After ‘03 I actually wanted one, AFTER Jesus changed my heart towards Him. Nobody ever accused me of being in-style. Bracelets aside, the question does still remain — ‘What would Jesus do?’
Here’s the chorus:
What would Jesus do
I’m trying to do it
What would Jesus do
Want my life to prove it
Wanna walk, wanna talk like him
So I’m gonna keep asking it
What would Jesus do
What would Jesus do
If we actually want to do what Jesus did, we need to follow with action. That implies a persistent, continuous effort of coming to Jesus, so we can see clearly what He has done and is doing. You don’t study someone’s ways from afar…unless you’re not serious about modeling them. The proof is in the pudding (fruit inspectors!). Do our lives show we are trying to consider what Jesus does; or that we want to walk and talk like Him?
In the second verse of the song, we see a few highlights that capture the life of Jesus when He walked the earth in bodily form. Where do we find those? The gospels.
When I open up the gospels
On every page I read
He healed, baptized and gave His life
To love the least of these
Now the only way to follow
Is to walk the narrow road
No it may not be easy
But I don’t walk alone
He gave His life to love the least of these. He most certainly did! You may be thinking, “Have I done that?” or, “Am I willing to do that?” The next line puts the challenging truth right in front of us — the only way to follow is to walk the narrow road. Is that really true? Let’s go to the gospels: Matthew 7, where easy believism goes to die!
Mat 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
Mat 7:14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
—Matthew 7:13-14
Well, that doesn’t sound like it’s the ONLY way. Ok, let’s check out another gospel and more words from Jesus, shall we?
Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
—John 14:6
Does that sound like there is another way other than Jesus? Nope, it surely does not!
But, it’s hard. Yeah, carrying our own burdens tends to be that way. Doing things in our own ways and in our own strength also adds difficulty. Thankfully, Jesus has a much better way prepared for us. Again, we look to the gospels…
Mat 11:25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;
Mat 11:26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
Mat 11:27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Mat 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
—Matthew 11:25-30
What would Jesus do? Thank His Father in heaven. Do we? He gives us rest, as well as a easier, lighter yoke and burden. Why wouldn’t we take it? Probably because we are selfish and like to make things difficult. But it’s hard. Yeah, but it doesn’t have to be! Jesus makes that clear right here.
Like we’ve emphasized in the last few posts, humility and confession is key. We say that here in the bridge of the song:
Jesus can You help me
I can’t do it on my own
I just want to look more like You in the end
I know You’ll give direction
When I ask the question
Again and again
Again and again
If you’re like me, you don’t like to ask for help. We want to do it on our own. While this makes us human, it’s still an attitude that needs to die if we are going to be serious about asking, ‘What would Jesus do?’
Jesus, can you help me? I can’t do it on my own. (Humility and confession)
I just want to look more like You in the end. (A changed desire)
I know You’ll give direction, when I ask the question. (Faith and hope)
THIS is the way!
I hope you will take the opportunity to listen to this song, consider the lyrics, and check out these passages of Scripture. What would Jesus do?