He Lived Like Us

ð As kid, play word assoc. game? Black-white; dog-cat – 1st that comes to mind. “Jesus” what comes to mind? <PP> Nativity scenes? <PP> Teacher? <PP> Compassionate leader? <PP> Maybe it’s the cross? Maybe different things. In John 1:45-46 we see people had different ideas of what Messiah was to be. (RD) Nath had trouble believing good from Nazareth! But, Philip said, we have to go see! So I offer the same invitation to you this AM…come and see…the LIFE that Jesus lived.

o Dakotas use term "buffalo calf of God." World of academics, see a political revolutionary, Galilean charismatic, rabbi, Jewish cynic, OR - the equivalent to a sixties hippie.

o Norm Evans, Dolphins lineman “On God’s Squad” – toughest lineman. Fritz Peterson, Yankee – hard player, knock 2nd baseman down to break up double play, but always w/in the rules.

o Fact is – people have many ideas; from Nativity scene, to cross. Want to look in between this AM...at the life He lived.

ð We DO know Heb 1:6 tells angels worshipped Him. We know He spent 33 years on this earth, lived taught – influenced world forever. Since there is much about Jesus’ life in Scripture, must never overlook fact that God, for while, <PP> lived like us!

ð Culture very much talks about birth, sometimes even Rez. But, need to see His life! Remember – He lived like us! People struggle with knowing God – is it possible?! Remember He lived among us – it is life that we have to model. Can’t imitate birth, don’t have to imitate death, but we can fashion our lives after His.

ð Go back with me then, 2000 years. Come and see His lifestyle, what He surrendered on our behalf, see how He lived as a man, and strength of His character and come and see the example set for us.

° T – Can’t, like society does, peek in at birth then skip to Rez, let’s look at…<PP>

I. His Lifestyle

A. Know from Mt 2:13, began life on run. (RD). Was presented in temple according to Law at month ½. Scripture quiet about childhood till 12. Visit to Jerusalem for Passover, left behind for 3 days, where even very early on in life<PP> seems to show understanding of unique mission as Luke provides 1st record of spoken words (RD – Lk 2:49).

1. Grew up in Nazareth – poor place, bad rep as seen in Nathaniel’s statement. Spent 1st 30 yrs of life simply growing up – and growing in favor w/ God and man. He was a regular guy, in regular place.

2. Mk 6:3 tells us carpenter. No power saws, no Home Depot. Cut trees down w/ ax He made, drug home – worked w/ hands. Not like pale, Renaissance paintings. Lk 9:58, He says (RD). Slept outside if necessary. Already – tougher than me.

3. Also was man of courage. Mk 1 goes to fisherman’s wharf and calls 1st disciples. Tough guys, not just follow anyone! Late in life, Mk 11, some turned Temple of God into shopping center – cleans house!

B. Easy to focus on origin, lose sight of life lived. Before began messianic ministry, took time to establish relationships and credibility among relatives, neighbors. <PP> Knew what it’s like to struggle to earn living. It was in home, marketplace, and carpenter shop where He developed His character. <PP> Thru experience, Jesus Christ gained understanding of ordinary people.

C. Name “Jesus” - common name. Been found on any role book in school. Jesus himself so common that if walked thru mall today no one notice him. Is 53:2 <PP> Maybe hard to believe, but in looks, occupation, life – Jesus was common. (RD).

1. Even late in life, Mk 12:37 (RD). Not 1 person reluctant to approach him out of fear of rejection. Truly, though in all ways Divine – He, just as literally - was just one of us. Holy God as a man!

2. We tend to create distance between ourselves and God. I suppose it’s natural. But, remember - it IS us who create distance. God came to us and lived a common life among common men.

° T – Common? Here, yes – just like you and me. But, to understand humanity, have to consider…<PP>

II. What He Gave Up…to Live Like Us (turn to Phil 2, please.)

A. Look in Phil 2, vs 7. NKJ uses interesting term (RD) - “no rep.” Means literally, <PP> to empty; applied to a case where one lays aside his rank and dignity. Did He quit being God? No – did couple things:

1. Veiled His glory! Mt 17:1-2 (RD). This exposure astonished his disciples – floored them! But, is NOT how He lived His life. Didn’t halo overhead; didn’t float. Nothing in looks made Him stand out. Veiled glory from view.

2. So, when we read that He “emptied”- what mean exactly? He laid aside use of Divine abilities. Took upon Himself humanity – humanity has limitations…so He took those too.

B. Had been omnipresent – now limited to one place. MK 13:32 - Had been omniscient, but (RD) – only knew what Father revealed. <PP> John 8:28 - Had been omnipotent – now dependent upon Father. (RD). Just like us, He was to learn to rely on the Father for ALL!

C. He emptied Himself, stripped Himself of all insignia of King; gave up all outward appearance of Divine to walk as human flesh on this earth, like King <PP> discard royal robes to walk and talk and live and laugh among peasants. He became a man and with that accepted all mankind’s frailties.

° T – Let’s get back to that for moment. As man, we have to realize that in every way…<PP>

III. He Lived Like Us

A. Often hear people go one of two ways: “He’s God! He can’t be US!” OR – “He’s a man – can’t be God!” But, what we see in Scripture is, as man, went thru life like we do. Heb 4:15 (RD). Shared common problems of common people. Luke 4:2, Mt 21:18 – Jesus experienced hunger. <PP> In John 4, woman at well, He was thirsty. Same setting, see He felt weariness, exhaustion.

1. Sometimes think bit too generically. Specifically, teenagers, Jesus can relate to you, too! He lived at home, had to live by rules of home. He depended on Mom and Dad for food, clothes, etc. And – Dad made Him work around house! And saw that even at 12, parents just didn’t understand!!!

2. Seriously adults, He dealt also with money problems. 2 Cor 8:9 (RD). Old hymn, “Out of ivory palaces, into a world of woe.” He had it ALL – and left it to have no home, no permanent residence. He borrowed a coin to teach a lesson in Matt 22; borrowed places to sleep; even borrowed a tomb to be buried in.

3. Dealt with difficulties with co-workers. Had to delegate responsibilities to disciples and deal with their doubt. John 6, Mark 6 fed 5000 tho followers doubted food supply. Self-existent one learned to depend on US to get His work done.

B. Perhaps as striking as anything human about Christ were feelings He experienced. <PP> Truly, He was, as says in Is 53:3 (RD)- the Man of Sorrows…in so many ways.

1. We know He wept at tomb of Lazarus, wept as entered Jerusalem; wept in Garden.

2. Also felt loneliness. John 6:66-67 (RD) – felt pain of abandonment. Matt 26, He enters Garden, sorrowful and distressed; takes trusted Peter, James, and John – only to find them asleep.

3. Never more alone than at cross. Matt 27 tells us in vs 55, that women stood afar off. In vs 46, He even cries out to God (RD). Even Father left Him alone to bear sins of mankind.

C. And that’s what He did for us. Humanity longed for a real encounter w/ God, so <PP> He stepped from Heavens and took on flesh. No longer distant, no longer voice from cloud or pillar of fire – but man! He was tired, hungry, frustrated – for us. (RD Is 53:4-5).

° T – OK – let’s get to it…He went thru life, like us, but Heb 4:15, key “w/out sin.” How? What we can learn is…<PP>

IV. He Developed Traits We Need…so we can live LIKE HIM!

A. Asked 1st, mental picture? Nativ, cross? How about this? (Towel) Looking again at Phil 2:7-8 (RD). His life on this earth can be summed up, <PP> maybe, in one word – servant. Like to look at 3 aspects of this idea to close:

1. Jesus <PP> developed humility. If it were you or me, may be on luxurious pillow, having grapes fed to me, saying, “Take care of me – after all, Son of God!” But, instead, gave up rest to feed and heal.

2. Each step w/ Christ leads down. Hard to imagine deity came to serve at all, but – in upper room <PP> <PP> as foot washer?! Incredible! That Jesus – God in the flesh – would be, as one author puts it, The God of the Towel…to serve.

3. How much more descend? All way to a cross. Hard to fathom God on knees washing his follower's feet; But – it’s REALLY hard to envision Holy Lamb of God dying on cross to wash us from sin.

4. In Phil 2:1-5, Paul points to Jesus' example as way we must embrace. God saying, “If want to follow me, follow example. Don't only do what I say, do what do!” <PP>

B. Secondly, He learned how to <PP> approach people. Did go to the synagogue for worship and to teach, but He spent most of His time serving, ministering at parties, on boats, in fields, and along the road. The main focus of Jesus' ministry was <PP> caring for and building up people. Sometimes it's called discipleship – making and encouraging FOLLOWERS!

1. It meant that He was willing to avoid the big crowds and popularity for quiet times alone with just a few men who, on the surface seemed unlikely to ever amount to much, but He saw that they were ready to learn.

2. Jesus Christ went “outside the box” to share His message. He chose this unlikely group of men to carry on his teaching. He ALSO did not hesitate to respond with compassion to women who had been immoral and men who were corrupt. His ultimate service was to teach God’s will!

C. Finally, Jesus learned <PP> obedience. Phil 2:8 tells us that not only did He live like a man, but He became obedient – He learned obedience…to the point of DEATH! Above all else, He was willing to and desiring to obey the Father. Do you see that IRONY?! God in the flesh on the earth learned the necessity of obedience to the will of the Father.

1. And Jesus wasn’t ½ way obedience. We see in Matt 26:39, Jesus in the Garden, just hours before His torture and ultimate death, when HUMANITY really wants to show…He falls on HIS FACE…and prays (RD).

2. Wasn’t any easier to go to death because of who He was. Didn’t hurt any less! Self-sacrifice didn’t just come natural. Heb 5:8-9 explains that – makes it clear that what He did was horrible (RD). <PP> He suffered…for me…and you.

3. To be good servant, have got to be obedient to work we’re called to do – to the lives we’re called to lead…like HE was! If Jesus learned obedience, doesn’t just make sense that we should?! John 13:14-17 helps answer that question. This passage lets us see that Jesus Himself thinks so (RD). <PP>

4. Blessed are we if we become humble, obedient servants, to anyone, anywhere…LIKE HE WAS.

ð Jesus was a man. Not just “human” – He was a man. Nothing extraordinary, but certainly not frail. And as we saw, He gave up a great deal to live like us – He took on sorrow, hunger, pain. <PP> But through it all, lived a life as an incredible example to us – taking the form of a servant, humbling self, and obediently following the Father.

ð <PP> The birth of Christ is amazing! But don’t leave Him a baby in a manger. His teaching <PP> changed the world. But don’t just see Him as a Rabbi-scholar. <PP> The miracles He performed are unmatched; but He was no sideshow.

ð <PP> His death on the cross was tragic, but beautiful. <PP> His rez provides the ultimate victory for you and for me. <PP> BUT – we should never forget, that for a while…God…lived like us. He left us the greatest example to imitate and to model. <PP>

ð Heb 5:8-9 said He learned obedience to become the author of salvation, to all – who in turn – obey Him. When we look at His life we come face-to-face with fact that He was asked to do SO much – suffer, beatings, humiliation, even death. But because of Him, we’re not asked to do same! Oh, we may suffer…some. But, never asked to die for my own sins. Rom 6:4 tells us that upon our obedient immersion, we contact that death – that blood that was shed.

ð You can do that this AM, if never have. If, as Xian, you see that you’re not living a life modeling traits He lived and want us to pray with you – let’s do that! Whatever…