Most of us have heard the question, seen the bracelet, or recognize the acronym WWJD.  I think from the first time I heard it an ambivalence stirred in me a mixture of “I need to be more like Jesus and do the things Jesus did”, and “I’m not sure I am willing or even capable of being like Jesus!”

The idea has taken a negative turn for me as self-proclaimed authorities advise (with no biblical basis and very little biblical knowledge) what Jesus would do and what He wouldn’t do.  Politicians make bold religious statements to legitimize sin and death, to validate their campaigns, and to justify their actions while leading astray those who are not familiar with scripture and attempting to silence those who do know God’s Word.

There are some notable things recorded in scripture that Jesus did, and it would be judicious for us to follow His example:

• Jesus humbled Himself.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  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.” (Philippians 2:5-8)

• Jesus did nothing and spoke nothing on His own authority; instead, He emulated what the Father was doing and spoke what the Father commanded Him to say.

“Then Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19)

“For I have not spoken on My own authority, but the father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.  And I know that His command is everlasting life.  Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” (John 12:49-50)

In teaching His disciples, Jesus promised them (and us) help in following Him:

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26)

“When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.  He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13-14)

• Jesus quoted scripture to present truth:

• …when He validated creation and defined marriage: “And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?”’” (Matthew 19:4-5)

• …when He identified the fulfillment of prophecy: “And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah.  And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.’” (Luke 4:17-19)

• …when He was confronted by the enemy with temptations and lies: “But Jesus answered him, saying, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” …And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” …And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” (Luke 4:4, 8, 12)

If we truly desire to do what Jesus would have us do, we must abide (make our home) in Him.  “I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” (John 15:5-8)