What does it mean to be like Jesus? What does it mean to be Christ-like? Becoming like Him is a primary goal of the Christian life, of which we often speak. But what exactly does that mean in practical terms? It’s got to mean more than we just become a bunch of “nice” people. To understand what Christ was like, we must look at the Gospel stories to see how He lived on this earth. We must also look at the rest of the New Testament to see how His further teachings were delivered and taught by the Apostles once inspirited by the Holy Spirit.
In John 20:21, Jesus said to His disciples, “As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” It is clear from Jesus’ words that we are to replicate His life just as He lived out the Father’s will. We represent Jesus Christ in this world. He is physically gone, risen, and ascended to the Father's right hand, but by His Spirit, we are indwelt with His presence and power, and therefore bring His presence to the world.
So once again, what does that mean? How are we to represent Him in the world? The Gospel of John gives an abundance of examples for us to consider.
Being sent by Jesus, how are we to represent Him?
In His words:
We are to proclaim the Word as He Proclaimed it by His Spirit.
“For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.” John 3:34
We are to continually seek and submit to His will.
“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.” John 4:34
We are to observe Jesus’ life and live it in dependence on the Father.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.” John 5:19
We are to honor the Son as He honored the Father.
“So that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father.” John 5:23
We are to be devoted to doing what pleases God.
“And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” John 8:28
We are not to speak on our own, but the Words that He gives us.
“For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.” John 12:49-50
We are to demonstrate our love of Him by obedience to His commands.
“But so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me.” John 14:31
We are to love as He loved.
“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” John 15:9
We are to glorify God as Jesus glorified the Father.
“I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.” John 17:4
We are to be holy as He is holy.
“For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.” John 17:19
We are to live in unity.
“That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” John 17:21
We are sent as the Father has sent us.
“Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” John 20:21
We are sent to represent Jesus as He was sent by the Father. Becoming like Jesus is living our lives as He lived His. This list of twelve is only the beginning. How many more can you find in John’s Gospel?