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In Matthew 11:29, Jesus said: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart.” This statement makes Jesus our perfect model and example in life. It is good in life to have role models, but Jesus is the real model. Role models are humans and they are not without shortcomings. But Jesus is the only man who never failed, while He was mortal. The Bible even said that He was tempted in every ways and yet, no single sin was found in Him.
There is a saying that goes like this: You cannot give what you don’t have. That tells us that for Jesus to have said we should learn from Him, it means there are many things He is ready to teach us, if only we would learn from Him. In Ephesians 4:20-21, apostle Paul said to the people of Ephesus; “But you have not so learned Christ, If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.” That tells us that as believers, it is possible to exhibit traits and characteristics that are not consistent with the new life that we have received in Christ Jesus.
So, what does the learning of Christ connotes? The learning of Christ connotes a number of things.
1 The learning of Christ is simply to be moulded into the pattern of Christ and to be conformed into the image of Him. Romans 8:29 tells us “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” So, God’s idea of who we are supposed to be is the perfect image of Christ. No wonder apostle Paul wrote that Jesus Christ is the yardstick for spiritual maturity and growth. In Ephesians 4:13, he wrote: “till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Until we come to this level, we will never stop learning of Christ.
2 The Learning of Christ Means To Have His Mind
Philippians 2:5 tells us: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus..” The question we should ask here is: what was that mind that was in Christ Jesus? Philippians 2:1-9 shows us a bit of it.
“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,”
3 The Learning of Christ Brings Us To His Feet To Be Taught By Him
In Luke 10:39, we saw how Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listened to His word. “And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.”
4 The Learning of Christ Brings Us To The Place Where We Live As Jesus Lived!
1 John 2:6 tells us “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” One of the reasons why God created man was because He wanted someone who would manifests His character and His nature. Our primary assignment on earth is that we live our lives to manifest God’s glory.
So, How did Jesus lived?
– He lived in humility. Philippians 2:8 tells us “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
– He lived in love. Matthew 14:14 tells us “And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” Also, Acts 10:38 tells us ho Jesus went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil. He takes an heart of love to be able to do all these.
– He lived in Holiness. 1Peter 15:16 tell us “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
– He lived in the will of God. Hebrews 10:7 tells us
“Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’ “
So, the learning of Christ brings us to a place where we are moulded into the pattern of Christ and to be conformed into the image of Him, to have His mind, to be taught as His feet and to live as Jesus lived.
[Centre for New Dimension Leadership]
