Whose examples do you follow? Who do you try to imitate? We are people who try to imitate those whom we admire and look up to. Beginning from earliest childhood when we thought our parents were the greatest and wanted to be just like them we continue this practice throughout life. No matter what our profession from business to farming to laborer to teaching and everything in between we usually try and follow the examples of those who have been successful in the same field or perhaps have been our mentor or boss. The same holds true on the golf course, the basketball court or the baseball field. If we play a musical instrument or sing or take part in the theater, we identify those teachers or others who have influenced us and try to emulate them.

After he has finished washing the disciple's feet during the last meal he ate with them before his trial and crucifixion, Jesus said, "I have given you an example to follow: just as I have done, you must do also." He had spent the last three years preaching and teaching and setting examples for his disciples to follow. Sometimes they got it but most of the time they din't. On this special night he knows his time with them is drawing to a close and wanted to set for them the ultimate example of love and service.

As hard as we try to follow the examples of those earthly leaders and mentors we admire, for some reason we don't find it near as important to work as hard at following Jesus' examples - if we work at it at all. Do we really try to turn the other cheek? How many of us don't give it a second thought when we judge others? Do we really have to love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves? Surely Jesus didn't mean we have to forgive others before we are forgiven.  Washing someone else's feet, c'mon jesus, really!

But then I wonder what our families, our churches and our communities would look like if we tried as hard to follow Jesus' examples as we do our earthly leaders?

Shalom,

Pastor Nick