Who do you look like? Were you the spitting image of your mother or father at birth and as a child? What about now?
Maybe there’s a resemblance to both your parents or neither one. Perhaps people say you look like another family member.
As a twin, my sister is someone I resemble.
Besides physical attributes, there’s another way we resemble someone—in character.
To look more and more like Jesus is one of the most important aspects of Christianity. But if we miss this, we miss the purest meaning for CHRISTian.
Yet, how do Christians look like Christ? After our spiritual birth, is there a way to really grow to resemble Jesus?
In Matthew 6, Christ seizes an opportunity to teach His disciples and listeners how to pray. While the prayer, line-by-line, is beautiful and powerful. There’s other discoveries in the text.
It showcases who God is. And we uncover the mission of Jesus. Still further, it reveals how to look more like Jesus Christ.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
(Matthew 6:9-13 ESV)
6 Ways to Resemble Jesus:
1.) Jesus recognized His Father’s holiness.
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” Hallowed means holy, sacred, and revered (Merriam Webster). Jesus acknowledges, Holy are You, Father, revered is Your name.
To resemble Jesus, we recognize our Father as holy and we revere His name. Voicing it to God in prayer. And voicing it to others—My God is holy, hallowed is His name.
To resemble Jesus, we recognize our Father as holy and we revere His name. Voicing it to God in prayer. And voicing it to others—'My God is holy, hallowed is His name.' @FridayKaren #Prayer #Jesus Click To Tweet2.) Jesus desired His Father’s Kingdom.
“Your kingdom come.” Jesus spent His life bringing heaven’s kingdom to earth. It’s seen in His words, actions, and disciples. And God’s kingdom is displayed in His peace, grace, love, and mercy.
We may spend years building our kingdom. But it often crumbles.
To look like Jesus, we desire God’s Kingdom over our own. We want His will over our agenda. It’s seen in our words, actions, and in how we disciple others. We display the peace, grace, love, and mercy of Jesus.
To look like Jesus, we desire God’s Kingdom over our own. We want His will over our agenda. We display the peace, grace, love, and mercy of Jesus. @FridayKaren #KingdomHearts Click To Tweet3.) Jesus busied himself with His Father’s business.
“Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
At only 12-years-old, Jesus focused on His Father’s business (Luke 2:29, NKJV). And there are many other accounts where Christ states His purpose was to do the Father’s will.
To resemble Jesus, we busy ourselves with our Father’s business. We pray and seek His will. Instead of our life characterized by mere busyness, we make the business of heaven our life.
4.) Jesus relied on His Father’s provision.
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
As modeled in His life, Jesus asked God to provide—daily. These needs included physical and spiritual nourishment. But Christ never concerned himself with tomorrow’s provision. This reminds us of the manna God provided each day to the Israelites (Exodus 16).
To look like Jesus, we trust God’s provision for each day. We ask God and trust Him for physical and spiritual nourishment.
5.) Jesus extended His Father’s forgiveness.
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
Jesus extended forgiveness for sins to a woman marked “sinful” (Luke 7:48). He asked the Father to forgive those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34). And Christ died so that our sins were paid for and forgiven.
To resemble Jesus, we freely and liberally forgive others who wrong us. Even those who are repeat offenders.
To resemble Jesus, we freely and liberally forgive others who wrong us. Even those who are repeat offenders. @FridayKaren #Forgiveness Click To Tweet6.) Jesus combated evil with His Father’s Word.
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
Jesus overcame temptation with Scripture, “It is written” (Matthew 4:1-11). Christ freed people with evil spirits. He spoke about abstaining from evil. And Jesus said to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
To look like Jesus, we use God’s Word to overcome temptation. We protect our heart from evil. And we overcome evil with good.
Which of the 6 ways do you desire to resemble Jesus most? Or, what would you add?
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LINKUP is open! Perhaps we resembled a parent or other family member when we were born...or even now. Join my friend @FridayKaren to discover some ways to resemble Jesus and His character after our spiritual birth. Share your blog!… Click To Tweet
I’ve always used this passage as instruction about prayer, but I never thought about it as an example of being more Christlike. What a wonderful perspective! This is a perfect way of becoming more like Jesus by beholding His glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).
I like that Barbara, “becoming more like Jesus by beholding His glory.” Oh, to be like Jesus in these ways! Thanks for commenting!
Number One: I didn’t know you were a twin!
Also, I have heard the word “Christian” understood as “little Christ,” meaning that we are to replicate him in our world today. I love the way you’ve set this job description forth in such a practical way.
Yes, and my twin sister is a pastor’s wife, too. 🙂 May we strive to be a little Christ to everyone we meet, influence, love, and to the world!
Such a practical way to think of the Lord’s Prayer. Thank you, this is a gift to read and think on today.
Thanks, Bethany! I often pray for the Lord to help me lay down my agenda for the His will.
Karen, I love how you related this to how Jesus lived. What a wonderful guide for life.
Debbie, thank you. I love how Jesus kept His focus on the Father’s business while still meeting people in their ordinary lives.
Karen, I did not know you had a twin sister! Same here. Great post.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing that! Twins rock! 🙂