WWJD? Then WDJD?

“Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Yeshua (Jesus) did.”
1 John 2:6

12 / 09 / 06
(NIV used)

FIRST THOUGHTS:

Most people would agree that a true disciple of Yeshua (Jesus) will strive to do whatever He says to do. Many do not realize that throughout history, disciples actually tried to imitate their teacher in everything He said, did, and even thought. They followed their teacher throughout the day and learned his movements and thoughts. Since they learned from their teacher, in the end, you would not be able to tell the difference between the student and the teacher.

WWJD? Everyone knows this cliché … “What would Jesus do?” (HE is the Teacher we are to imitate)

Did you know that Matthew, Peter, John, and the others, being disciples, lived by this very same question? In order to find out WWJD, then we must search … WDJD?!! (What DID Jesus do?). Since all those who “claim to live in Him must walk as Yeshua (Jesus) did.” (1 John 2:6). We, as His disciples, ought to find out what He did so that we can imitate and follow the words and actions of our Master?

Below are just a few examples of WDJD … “What did Jesus do” … so that we can do the same.

WDJD?

In John 2:23a we find our Savior in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover feast. “Now while He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast …”

“Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. (Hanukkah or Feast of lights) It was winter, Yeshua (Jesus) was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.” (John 10:22). Of course, this is why, even though this is NOT a command, my family celebrates this holiday … because HE did. Since WDJD, so do we, for we are His disciples. And it is a most beautiful celebration! We are simply practicing to be like our Teacher.

I see so many churches today using “God’s house” to promote their own agenda (such as selling CD’s, books or even to promote car washes for the Youth programs) … WDJD … “So He made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!” (John 2:15-16) Many today will say that they are doing it for God … let us not forget … they were selling doves to be sacrificed for worship, FOR GOD, as well. Selling doves was not what upset our Master … it was where they were doing it.

John 6:12 … “When they had all had enough to eat, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” I just think about all the food that we allow our children to put on their plates … only to be left over and thrown away. I think of the rich and their self-indulgence and how many eat as if they were a king … “You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.” (James 5:5). I know a lot of poor godly people … I have seen their dinner tables … “Let nothing be wasted”. (last part of John 6:12 above) Disciples of the Master are to imitate Him and follow His Words!

There are so many verses, today, that are misunderstand about the Sabbath (As well as God’s Law). WDJD? When we find our Teacher obeying His Father’s Law by teaching on and keeping the Sabbath. If we only take the time and effort , we would realize that it was the leaders and their teachings that were wrong … He rebuked their teachings that over time, had become laws in themselves. Many think that He was rebuking the Law (His Father forbids this), He was rebuking their understanding or teaching of the Laws of His Father. Read the following carefully:

- “On another Sabbath He went into the synagogue and was teaching.” (Luke 6:6a) Yeshua (Jesus) was obeying the Sabbath. He was then challenged by a leader. The story then reveals Him healing a man on the Sabbath. NOwhere does it say the Sabbath is done away with … just reference to WHAT can be done on it. The question is: can a life be saved on the Sabbath? YES! Life has always been of greater value … that, too, is a command of God.

- Luke 13:10 … “On a Sabbath Yeshua (Jesus) was teaching in one of the synagogues …” …. Then we find their accusation in verses 14-17)

- Yeshua (Jesus) honored the Sabbath, therefore, so did His disciples. That is why we find Paul imitating His walk … “On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets …” (Acts 13:14b-15a) Why would Paul listen to the Law and the Prophets if it was taught that they were done away with? Because his Teacher taught that they were not done away with and preached and lived in obedience to them.

- We can also find out what Yeshua (Jesus) taught by observing those who were with Him … “Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.” (Luke 23:56) Can you imagine … they were preparing to anoint the body of the Son of God! But even this does not supersede the command of the Sabbath. Isn’t that interesting? And many today simply do as they please on this appointment of God. Many even ignore the day God originally blessed … (Genesis 2:3))

WDJT (What did Jesus TEACH?) … He taught us to obey His Father’s Laws … He also obeyed them … Therefore, we should strive to do the same and teach others likewise (Remember … HE is our Teacher we are to imitate). “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks ne of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices (continually strives) and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:18-19) By doing so, you will find the excitement and joy of living in the footsteps of the Master. When one walks the way He did, there is a joy and complete feeling as one celebrates, ministers, and acts like the Son of God (Our Teacher). Who obeyed His Father out of Love … not a chore.

LAST THOUGHTS:

Search after search … the conclusion will be the same … There is NOT a single verse that states, “He obeyed perfectly so that we don’t have to” (Absolutely nowhere.) The opposite can be found, though. Numerous times we are told to imitate Him, to be in HIS likeness and image! (Like a true disciple should … who seeks to imitate his Teacher)

- “For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son,” (Romans 8:29a)

- “Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Yeshua (Jesus) did.” (1 John 2:6)

- “Do not lie to each other since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (Colossians 3:9-10)

Just something to think about.