I'm reading an interesting book about first century Judaism. One of the points is that, if one entered a school under a rabbi, it was expected that the student would imitate his teacher in every way possible, even his idiosyncrasies.
That point seems to me to have been taken up by the early followers of The Way. They were not students who were working to be actual rabbis. They were a cross section of ordinary people who wanted to be like Jesus. In some form, this desire has continued down through these 2,000+ years. In fact, Sunday we sang, I want to be like Jesus...
Yet, as Jesus said, by their fruits you shall know them. As I look at history and today, I see only a small smathering of Jesus-like behavior. Do we follow with clouded hearts only? Where and why did the understanding of following Jesus stop being to strive to be like Him?
Can we recapture this Way? Can we say in all sincerity our love and life in God is paramount, coupled with our love of others? Can we say that we guard what comes out of our mouths more than what we put into them? Can we truthfully say we are kind and generous and forgiving? Can we claim to be a light in this world? If not, can we claim to be a follower of Jesus?
Lord, clear my heart from all cloudedness. Open me to You fully. Lead me in Your path. Guide me to be ever more like You. From the core of my being, there comes a fountain of desire to follow Your Way. I answer Your Call this day. Here I am, Lord...
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