What does it mean to “imitate” Jesus?
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are born again under His new life. Our identity is in Him, and we learn and grow under Him. In this new life, there are different commandments and ways we follow Jesus. We see this in the Scriptures that led to Jesus, Jesus’s own teachings, and the writings of His witnesses, the Apostles.
A common commandment given in the New Testament is to imitate Jesus and follow His example. On the surface, this makes sense. But what does that practically mean in everyday living? Christians would agree that it certainly doesn’t mean we live our lives with divine authority as rulers over all creation. We know we aren’t sinless like Jesus, and we know Jesus is the exclusive one who will bring final judgement when He returns.
So what do Jesus and His Apostles mean when they command Christians to imitate Him? For this blog, we’re going to look over multiple passages from the Gospels and the Epistles where the commandment is given. We’ll then look over the multiple passages from the Apostolic Fathers that give the same commandment.
Because we’ll be looking at specific passages exclusively, it does need to be stressed that this won’t be covering everything we’re called to do as Christians. Doctrines like faith and prayer are crucial, but this blog is specifically focused on the examples seen in Scripture to imitate Christ and what that meant in it’s context.
The New Testament
Mark 10:42-45: “Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, ‘You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them; and their people in high position exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you; rather, whoever wants to be first among you shall be slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.’”
John 13:12-15: “Then, when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done for you? You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’; and you are correct, for so I am. So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example, so that you also would do just as I did for you.’”
In the first verse of 1st Corinthians 11, Paul states, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” Despite this verse being edited in the beginning of a new chapter, it is actually the conclusion of the previous chapter. Chapter 11 truly begins in verse 2, where Paul addresses traditions the Corinthians both succeeded and failed to keep.
Beforehand, from verses 23-31 of 1st Corinthians 10, Paul is addressing the debate of what foods are ethical and unethical to eat as a Christian. Paul’s ultimate solution is to not eat what has been offered to demons, and to also not eat publicly what would offend those around them for the sake of being a good witness to unbelievers and maintaining unity with fellow Christians (1st Corinthians 10:27-33). To put it simply, Paul’s words to imitate him as he imitates Christ is to stay away from blatant demonic fellowship, keeping the peace in the Church, and shining the light of Christ to those who don’t know Him.
Ephesians 5:1-2: “Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”
1st Peter 2:21: “For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps, ‘He who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth’; and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously…”
Overview of New Testament References
What we can see from these different passages to follow Jesus’s example is to be humble, serving, and sacrificial. Does this mean there is no discernment in following Jesus? Of course not! Jesus and the Apostles warn us many times to be aware of false Christians and keep our distance from them (Matthew 7:15-20). Does this mean we don’t call out injustices? By no means! We are called to be a voice for the voiceless, seek justice, and help the oppressed (Matthew 23:23).
However, if one believes they have authority as a Christian to act violently because the Messiah brought judgement to His temple, or pronounce hellfire condemnation on others, I would encourage them to rethink their confidence. We are to imitate Jesus, but we are not the Messiah. We are not the sinless, righteous judge of the world. There may be certain times where correction and rebuke may be necessary. But our first foundation of action should be the serving, sacrificial love of Jesus Christ.
The Apostolic Fathers
Looking to Jesus as the perfect example of humility, Clement of Rome cites how Jesus fulfilled the Suffering Servant prophecy in Isaiah 53, and concludes in 1st Clement 16.17, “You see, beloved, what is the example which has been given to us; for if the Lord thus humbled Himself, what shall we do who have through Him come under the yoke of His grace?”
Ignatius to the Ephesians 10: “And pray without ceasing on behalf of other men. For there is in them hope of repentance that they may attain to God. See, then, that they be instructed by your works, if in no other way. Be meek in response to their wrath, humble in opposition to their boasting: to their blasphemies return your prayers; in contrast to their error, be steadfast in the faith; and for their cruelty, manifest your gentleness. While we take care not to imitate their conduct, let us be found their brethren in all true kindness; and let us seek to be followers of the Lord (who ever more unjustly treated, more destitute, more condemned?), that so no plant of the devil may be found in you, but you may remain in all holiness and sobriety in Jesus Christ, both with respect to the flesh and spirit.”
In his Letter to the Romans, Ignatius states in chapter 6 how he hopes to imitate Christ in his upcoming martyrdom (6.3).
Polycarp to the Philippians 8: “Let us then continually persevere in our hope, and the earnest of our righteousness, which is Jesus Christ, who bore our sins in His own body on the tree, who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth, but endured all things for us, that we might live in Him. Let us then be imitators of His patience; and if we suffer for His name’s sake, let us glorify Him. For He has set us this example in Himself, and we have believed that such is the case.”
Polycarp to the Philippians 10.1: “Stand fast, therefore, in these things, and follow the example of the Lord, being firm and unchangeable in the faith, loving the brotherhood, and being attached to one another, joined together in the truth, exhibiting the meekness of the Lord in your intercourse with one another, and despising no one.”
And last, we see the Apologist in the tenth chapter of The Epistle of Diognetus share how a Christian’s sanctification leads them to imitate God’s goodness. The examples he shares are caring for one’s neighbor and taking care of the needy. He does also mention that in growing more like Christ, you will also recognize and condemn the sin and ungodliness of the world. However, from the Apologist’s point of view this is not lived out by controlling others or gaining power, as a continuing point in the epistle is that Christians have no earthly power nor seek it (see chapters 5-6 of the epistle).
Overview of the Apostolic Fathers References
We see very similar convictions on how to imitate Jesus in both the New Testament and the Apostolic Fathers. Sacrificial love, submission, Church unity, and serving others are seen throughout.
Conclusion
My hope in looking over these passages is not to convey some new age message that Jesus was a hippie that didn’t preach repentance. He most certainly preached repentance and warned of eternal consequences. And yes, this needs to be talked about and taught in Church. But we, who ourselves have been bought by the blood of Christ purely by God’s grace, should recognize what our first actions should be. Are we living our lives as servants to all, just as Jesus commanded and lived out Himself?
Bibliography
Schaff, P. (2016). The Complete Ante-Nicene, Nicene and Post-Nicene Collection of Early Church Fathers. Toronto, Canada.
“Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org”
Thumbnail Image: The Sermon on the Mount- by Laura James