“Do as I say – not as I do.”
Come again?
The old eyebrow-raising directive is not one you will hear rolling off the tongue of a bona fide mentor or coach. Jesus came as rescuer. . . as savior. But more than this.
Jesus routinely coached and mentored and trained these he loved – his forever companions in life and service. His mission of demonstrating the love and life of God in the earth was not to end with his return to glory. And it did not.
Jesus’ approach to forming his followers has not changed.
Like any self-respecting rabbi of his day, our Lord modeled a lifestyle his disciples were to emulate. Jesus displayed, by the things he did in his very own body the things his apprentices were to demonstrate in their very own bodies.
If Jesus were to fashion his own catch- phrase in our day to convey his aims for us, something like, “Do as I say and do as I do” might fit comfortably with him.
A touching piece of music out of the past goes, “Make me more like Thee, Jesus, make me more like Thee.” Then, more recently the group Passion released a similar number, “More like You”.
How does Jesus (mentor – coach – trainer) respond when we offer such a plea to him – “make me more like you”? Can’t we see him turning our direction and calling over to us in his thoroughly compelling manner, “Take my yoke upon you. Learn of me”. Is it not time to take up his assignment, to learn of and apply whatever varied practices he sets before us. So that now as on-board apprentices, we might implement the kinds of things he prescribes. Living the Christ-life he lived.
Personally, I must confess, it has taken me a long time catching on to this.
I fail at it often.
Able trainer that he is, though, our master does not weary in his coaching. As Paul writes, “love is patient and kind”*.
© 2023 Jerry Lout * I Corinthians 13
“….We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please Himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult You, o God, have fallen on Me.” Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. May God, Who gives us this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.” Romans 15:1b-5, NLT. This impressed me because it is God Who gives us hope, encouragement and patience. The longer the Lord allows this Journey the more I realize just how little I contribute to His Kingdom and the more He leads us to experience His gifts. KW
“GOD who gives us hope”
Key phrase friend. Thank you.
Jesus as my lifetime Coach – loving this thought.
‘From one who readily empathizes with the term! Thank you.