“Jesus, friend of sinners, Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers; Let our hearts be led by mercy, help us reach with open hearts and open doors; Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours. ”
“You look just like your mother” or “You act just like your daddy” is something some of you have heard before. Sometimes that’s good, sometimes not. We are regularly being compared to others, whether by looks or by actions. I get told at times that I look like a certain country artist, mostly because of my hair. It’s fun to be compared to someone famous (and not negatively compared) because of a quality we have, but that comparison doesn’t provide anything greater.
When does looking like someone become important?
You will be the person that shows someone the love of Jesus before they fully learn about Him. Isn’t that incredible, that the Savior of the world gave this responsibility to us?! When He speaks about the love for others, He isn’t speaking about just any kind of love but to reflect His love. Go back to the top of the article to the Casting Crown lyrics. What are the positive aspects we are challenged to display? What stands out to you in a negative sense?
Jesus tells us “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35 ESV). I like how a note in the ESV Gospel Transformation Bible puts it: “When we love God, we love what and whom he loves—because we desire to please and honor him.”
Oh, but we can also be guilty of having a mistaken identity if we claim to love Jesus but not those we were commanded to love. Using scripture as a means to one-up, put down, or do anything except to teach about what God has done (and will do) will cause a non-believer to have a false view of Jesus.
So, who do you look like?
When we stand before Jesus, we can no longer enjoy any vanities that we’ve created for our own self. He exposes the deepest flaws we do not like no matter how good they make us feel. I know what I looked like without Jesus. I don’t like that guy. Frankly, others didn’t either.
We tend to measure ourselves against who we see in the mirror. We can’t be our own measure, nor should we be the final measure for others. Paul wrote on several occasions to imitate him as he was working to imitate Jesus.
Do you look like Jesus?
He explicitly said He is the truth (John 14:6). When we are the reflection of Jesus, we reveal true love and true devotion. When we listen to and learn the truth, we exhibit the truth. When we understand the truth, we let the truth be our guide and our hope. When we reflect the Jesus, we reflect the truth.
Explore Scripture
John 13:34–35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
Ephesians 5:1–2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
1 Corinthians 10:32-33, 1 Corinthians 11:1
Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.