One of the best ways to learn how to do something is to follow the example of one who knows how to do it.  Children learn from their parents how to do many things by watching them in their actions.  Good teachers in school use examples to show their students the correct way to accomplish the school subjects such as math or language.  Long time workers often mentor the beginning workers on how to best accomplish tasks.  In the same way, as a Christian you should follow the example of Christ, the apostles and early disciples, and other Christians in your church; in time you will become an example to those less experienced than you in living a Christian life.

Jesus is our supreme example.  Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’”  The disciples of Jesus were learning from Him.   To be a Christian means that you are a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ.  Here Jesus says that as a disciple you must take up your cross and follow him. 

There are many examples that Jesus left you.  John 8:28-29 “Then Jesus said to them, ‘When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.   And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.’”  Jesus learned from His Father; He always did those things that pleased the Father.  The great example that Jesus gave you is that you should always do those things that please the Father.

Jesus came to bear witness to the truth.  John 18:37 “Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’  Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’” You should always seek to know, follow and bear witness to the truth as revealed in the Bible.

Jesus went about doing good and helping those in need.  Here is a summary of what He did.  Luke 7:22 “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.’”  You will not perform the miracles that Jesus performed, but as you have opportunity, you should help those in need.

Jesus was a servant.  Matthew 20:25-28 “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.   Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.  And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave —  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.’” One of the best examples of service that Jesus gave was when He washed His disciples feet.  John 13:12-15 “So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you?  You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.’”  Jesus is your example of humble service to others.  

1 Peter 2:21-23 “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:  ‘Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.”  He left you an example of suffering without reviling those who abuse you.  He also was an example of rejecting sin and any deceit in His life.  

We are taught to weep with those in sorrow.  Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” On the death of Lazarus, Jesus wept with those who wept (John 11:35) even though He knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead.  Follow His example.

Jesus is your example in loving one another.  John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

My encouragement to you is to study the life of Jesus and learn from Him.  Follow His example and truly be His disciple.