Have you ever heard that expression, “monkey see monkey do?” Parents are often on guard for this. Our children are watching us but not always listening. They are wonderful imitators – especially if you don’t want them to be. I know I’ve seen my children model some of my less-flattering behaviors.
No matter how much we tell them or how much we want them to, our kids just don’t always do what we say. They usually do what we show them, whether it’s intentional or not.
I was sitting on my deck one morning recently enjoying a glorious day and some alone time with the Lord. We were having a chat about things. I was focused on a particular topic. I had my Bible and my journal and was ready to take notes.
I had been reading in the Gospel of Mark and was really keying in on some of Jesus’ words when I was suddenly struck with the thought of “what did He do?” We talk about WWJD. What would Jesus do? You’ve probably heard that or seen it on the t-shirts and jewelry. This is more than that cliched phrase. If we’re going to have a good idea of what we think He would do, we had better spend some time looking at what He did do.
I can tell you that Jesus had first-hand experience with people not listening. After he had healed the deaf mute in Mark 7:31-35, verse 36 (NKJV) says, “Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.”
He told them not to and they did it anyway. Every parent I know can relate to that. This was so direct that it made me laugh while I was studying this. The Bible doesn’t tell us how He responded here, but I picture Jesus shaking His head and maybe giving a deep sigh. Maybe He looked toward Heaven and offered up an “I tried” shoulder shrug. Why did He command them not to tell if He knew they were going to anyway? I suppose it’s the same reason He washed the feet of Judas. Because He knew telling us wasn’t enough. He had to give us a behavior to model.
Much is made of the red letters in Scripture. They are, of course, the words Jesus spoke. Jesus’ words are important for sure. In fact, He says in Mark 1:38, “Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”
His words are life, but if we are to be like Him, we need study what He did in addition to what He said.
I started over in Mark since that’s where I was. I began looking specifically at what Jesus was doing in between what He was saying and preaching. For the sake of space, I stuck only to the Gospel of Mark and just began to take a close look at some of the things He did.
He walked beside the sea and through grainfields. He saw a lot – notably people. Even in large crowds, he saw specific people. He went to synagogue. He visited people. He went off by himself to pray. He was filled with compassion. He ate dinner with people (not the popular ones). He touched people. He got angry. He distressed over stubborn hearts. He carved out space from crowds.
He healed people. He protected himself. He called to His friends. He slept during a raging storm. He gave guidance and direction. He went with people who needed Him. He looked for people no one else saw. He sat boundaries. He sent people away. He was practical. He marveled at unbelief. He gave thanks. He fed people – thousands of people. He spent quality time with His friends. He held a little child. He observed. He was hungry. He overturned tables and chairs. He answered question after question. He sung. He ate.
I don’t have magic answers to life’s big questions here, but I see in just a few words a blueprint on what’s important and how to act. We are good at making life much harder than it needs to be. I see a savior who was compassionate and intentional. I see a savior who saw people, cared for people, helped people, guided people, took time for people. I see a savior who loved God and loved people.
Perhaps if when we’re struggling to listen to Him or make sense of what He is saying to us, we should take another look at what He did. Modeling His behavior is a good place to start.
