WWJD? Really?

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (I Peter 2:21-23)

          "What Would Jesus Do?" That is the question raised by the story, "In His Steps," by Charles Sheldon. In the story , the residents of a town decide to ask "What would Jesus do?"  There are many who are sure they know what Jesus would do. Some say that he'd hang out with them, after all, he was a friend to sinners. That means he'd have no problem with whatever they decide to do. Some think that he'd cure sickness, heal the injured, feed the starving and house the homeless. Some, that he would throw corrupt businessmen and politicians out. Some think that he would put all those self-righteous hypocrites in their place (and of course this is said by people who haven't a hint of self-righteousness or hypocrisy in their lives.) There is at least some truth to those answers, but the first key for us if we would answer that question is to become as versed in Scripture as he was. In order to do what he would do, we need to know what we can of what he knew. As a Jewish boy, he would have been expected to have memorized the Torah.

          Today's passage provides us with another clue to the answer "What would Jesus do?" by summarizing some of what he did. He suffered and died...and he trusted...and he was an example for others to follow. It also tells us what he did not do. He did not retaliate. He didn't threaten.

           "Yes, but he was God," some will correctly object with remarkable speed. Yes. He was, and he is, but he was also the example for us to follow. And if following that example means our death, then we will receive the benefit of just judgment all the sooner. "Death has been swallowed up in victory" We may still face death, but that death with be within victory. For those who believe, death is a shortcut to glory. The means by which we die may be horrible, but there's a reward in it for those who are following the example Christ set for us.