I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.—John 13:15

Robert Brand

As the Son of God, and a perfect hu­man being, Jesus provided light by ..his example that shone the brightest on his disciples. He inspired them and showed them the pathway through life’s difficulties in­cluding certain peril, deceit, thanklessness, and service. Jesus was the greatest teacher the world has ever seen, but one of his most effective teaching techniques could only be experienced through watching, and for that his disciples were the major benefactors.

Fear and anxiety are common emotions that often paralyze us and keep us from resting in God. While the Scriptures encourage us against these debilitating emotions, many times such feelings grab us when we least expect it and prevent us from doing what we ought to do.

Jesus showed his disciples the way to face their fears and anxieties during a severe storm that threatened their lives (Matthew 8:23-27). As experienced fishermen, they knew they were in great danger. But Jesus was also in the boat, and far from being concerned, he was fast asleep! Perhaps, as with his example at the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus took this opportunity to delay engaging his disciples until the time was right.

After the disciples in their alarm woke Jesus, he taught them the proper response to adversity when he said: “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:26). The disciples marveled at Jesus’ power over the storm, a power they had not previously seen.

It is tempting to think Jesus was sleeping be­cause he knew his miraculous powers would save the day. But Jesus would never put to the test the power God had given him. No, Jesus was sleeping because he trusted in God’s care. This is evidenced by his mild rebuke when he cited the disciples’ lack of faith.

We have tempests in our lives too. The lesson Jesus taught is that our trust in God’s providential care should easily surpass our feelings of anxiety. It is normal to be calm when our lives are peaceful, but the real test of spiritual maturity comes when our lives are in turmoil. A mature faith is one that has been tested by fear. We are reminded of the maxim: “Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell your storm how big your God is!” Jesus taught his disciples how to get to that point in their lives.

Confrontation

Jesus once dined at the home of a Pharisee named Simon (Luke 7:36-50). This potentially ex­plosive environment provided Jesus with another opportunity to teach by example. While enjoying the meal, a woman of disrepute entered the home, carrying a container of costly ointment. Sitting at the Lord’s feet, she wept and anointed his feet with it. The Pharisee pondered: “This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner” (Luke 7:39).

The Lord knew Simon’s thoughts and said: “Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee … there was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged” (Luke 7:40-43). Jesus then both complimented the woman and rebuked Simon. The Lord concluded the lesson with the statement, “to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little” (Luke 7:47).

We can learn much from this. While we may not find much in common with the woman’s life experience, we admire her humility, generosity, and sincerity. Jesus saw beyond the woman’s reputation, and observed her re­pentant demeanor. We, following the Lord’s example, should strive to look beyond appearances and endeavor to see the heart condition as much as possible. And as each one of us has been forgiven much, we should learn from this example and show our appreciation to Jesus by loving his disciples much.

Responding to Deceit

Luke described an event where Jesus was confronted by the deceitful Pharisees who had privately discussed ways to entangle Jesus in his own words. They devised a futile attempt by asking him: “Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?” (Luke 20:22). Jesus knew what they were up to, and rather than rebuking them outright, he utilized a different and demonstrably better method of teaching: “Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s. And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s” (Luke 20:24,25). Jesus cut through this devious rhetorical question by speaking an eternal truth, one that was obviously true to either disciple or enemy. Jesus taught that eternal truths win arguments every time!

We may tend to emphasize the “render unto Caesar” part of this passage, but perhaps Je­sus’ emphasis was on the second part of his mild rebuke. The crafty Pharisees were not doing God’s will, and perhaps Jesus brought this to everyone’s attention in the power of his words when he turned and said to them di­rectly: “… and unto God the things which be God’s.” The account ends with: “And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace” (Luke 20:26).  Jesus showed his disciples a confidence in the truth to do its work in the heart of those who opposed him.

We appreciate our Lord’s technique and ex­ample of mild rebuke. Jesus could have used this occasion to lash out at these religious leaders, but such an affront would surely not have been as effective. The speaking of eternal truth held out the hope of converting one of the Pharisees. Might not one of them question his group’s evil intent? Perhaps one of them, someone like Nicode­mus, might consider the possibility that Jesus was the promised messiah they anticipated. The admonition to “render unto God” would have been just what was needed to reach such an inquiring mind.

We may be presented with an opportunity to be equally direct and bold in confronting someone who is deceitful. While there may be occasions when such an approach is appropriate, in this instance Jesus taught us a more gentle ap­proach. While a direct and bold statement may close the mind of an opponent, a gentle approach might more appropriately send them away with a kernel of truth to ponder. With the right heart condition, inappropriate behavior by those who oppose us is more likely to change with such a gentle approach.

Thanklessness

Our Lord’s thoughtful approach is also evident in the account of the ten lepers: “As he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole” (Luke 17:12-19).

The lepers apparently experienced their healing as they walked to the priest. (An examination by a priest was necessary under Mosaic Law to pronounce them healed—see Leviticus 14.) However, apparently only one of the ten returned to offer thanks to Jesus for his miraculous restoration to health. In a twist of irony, he was a Samaritan, considered by the Jews to be a “stranger” and outside God’s favor.

The lack of thanks after this miracle provided a perfect opportunity for Jesus to be ag­gressive in his condemnation of the unthankful Israelites. Perhaps when we see examples of thanklessness, we think righteous indignation is called for. However, the Savior utilized a far more effective method, and we learn it from his example here. His question (“Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?”) was both subtle and powerful. It was a rhetorical question, an inquiry with no immediate expectation of an answer. If the Samaritan later joined with the nine Jews, and related our Lord’s question to them, a rightly-exercised conscience would feel the sting of re­buke much more strongly than if the response were a harsh condemnation. Harsh condemnations tend to set up walls of estrangement. Gentle rebukes tend to open doors. The purpose of effective counsel, even when it is a rebuke, is to stimulate beneficial change. Jesus used the effective and enduring gentle approach frequently in his ministry to redirect people’s lives.

Perhaps there is no more poignant illustration of teaching by example than the feet washing example in John 13. The timing of this interplay between Jesus and his precious apostles was im­mediately after the last supper when Jesus washed their feet. Peter understandably objected: “Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me” (John 13:8). Peter was quick to get the lesson and immediately re­spond­ed: “Not my feet only, but also my hands and my head” (John 13:9).

Then the master teacher makes the point ex­plicit: “After he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an ex­ample, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:12-17).

All of us would feel ill-at-ease if Jesus were to perform the humble task of washing our feet. This sense of awkwardness in the upper room surely added drama and effectiveness to Jesus’ method of teaching by this example of humility and service. If Jesus was willing to wash their feet, we should be willing to do the same for our brethren. The Lord’s illustration of foot washing goes far beyond the culture of his day and teaches us to assist our brethren in their daily contact with the world.

Foot washing is indeed a wonderful illustration of service that we can perform on behalf of our brethren. Such a service reminds us of this eternal truth: “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40). It is our Christian obligation and privilege to seek out and do good unto all: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).

In addition to the disciples who walked with our Lord, we are observers of our Lord’s powerful use of example to teach and direct. Reading and musing about Jesus’ interactions with his apostles, disciples, and potential disciples give us rich insights into this teaching technique that we may employ in our own ministry. Like Jesus, we are also on display in everything we say and do. We are also a light to the world, and those in our family should see our light the brightest and purest of all. Are we speaking eternal truths to dispel error? Are we consistent with our love, even in the face of thanklessness? Are we attentive to the needs of the weaker ones who are surely listening and watching? Teaching by ex­ample was perhaps Jesus’ most effective method to convey powerful life lessons in both doctrine and righteousness. Let it be one of ours too.