With Christmas approaching, it’s a perfect time to talk about spiritual awakening. For Christians, the concept of letting the self “die” and embracing Jesus reflects a fundamental tenet of faith rooted in biblical teachings. Central to moving beyond the self is surrendering one’s desires, ego, and sinful nature to Jesus Christ, the Savior and embodiment of divine love and redemption. This process symbolizes a spiritual rebirth, where believers seek to align their lives with the teachings and example of Jesus, striving to live by Christian values and virtues.
Embracing Jesus is a transformative act that enables a person to lead a life less focused on self and more directed toward humility and service to others. This transformation shifts us away from obsessing about our needs and wants and opens our hearts to the principles of love, forgiveness, and salvation. Through this surrender, Christians forge a deeper connection with God, experiencing spiritual renewal and eternal life through their faith in Christ.
Emulating Jesus and moving beyond the self involves adopting the virtues and teachings that Jesus exemplified throughout his life. As we enter the holiday season, let’s examine ten biblical virtues that Jesus demonstrated during His ministry on Earth:
Love and Compassion
Jesus is often described as a model of love and compassion. To embrace moving beyond the self, let us strive to love others, showing kindness and empathy to those around us, including those who may be different or marginalized.
One scriptural example of Jesus’ love and compassion can be found in the Gospel of Luke, specifically in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a father with two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance early and goes away to live a life of extravagant living, squandering his wealth. When a famine arises, the younger son finds himself in dire straits and returns home, willing to be a servant in his father’s house.
The father, however, sees his son from a distance and runs to him with open arms, embracing him with love and compassion. He orders a celebration, saying, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:24, ESV). The parable illustrates Jesus’ teaching about God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, and compassion for those who repent and return to Him. It reflects the idea that God eagerly welcomes and forgives those who seek reconciliation, emphasizing God’s boundless love and mercy.
Humility
Jesus demonstrated humility, even to the point of washing his disciples’ feet. We should strive to cultivate a humble attitude, recognizing our own imperfections and treating others with respect and dignity.
A scriptural example of Jesus’ humility and humble attitude is found in the Gospel of John, in the account of the washing of the disciples’ feet. In John 13:1-17, during the Last Supper, Jesus takes on the role of a servant and washes his disciples’ feet.
The passage describes how Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper, laid aside his outer garments, and tied a towel around himself. Then, he poured water into a basin and began washing the disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel around him.
When Peter questions this act, Jesus responds, saying, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:14-15, ESV). This demonstration of humility by Jesus, the Son of God, is a powerful illustration of his teachings on servant leadership and the call for his followers to embody humility in their relationships.
Self-Sacrifice
Jesus’s ultimate act of self-sacrifice was his crucifixion for the redemption of humanity. While such extreme sacrifice is not required of us, we can demonstrate moving beyond the self by striving to give our time, resources, and energy to help others.
A prominent scriptural example of Jesus’ self-sacrifice is found in the New Testament, in the crucifixion accounts. The Gospel of Matthew narrates the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion in Matthew 27:27-56. The crucifixion is a central aspect of Christian theology and is seen as the ultimate act of self-sacrifice by Jesus for the redemption of humanity.
In this account, Jesus willingly endures tremendous suffering and humiliation and ultimately gives up his life on the cross. It’s important to note that the crucifixion is not merely a historical event but holds deep theological significance in Christian belief, representing the atonement for sin and reconciliation between humanity and God.
A key verse highlighting the sacrificial nature of Jesus’ death is Matthew 20:28 (ESV), where Jesus says, “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” This emphasizes the voluntary and sacrificial nature of Jesus’ death, portraying it as a ransom, paying the price for humanity’s sins. Christians view this act of self-sacrifice as a demonstration of unparalleled love and a means of salvation for those who believe in Jesus.
Forgiveness
Jesus emphasized forgiveness and urged his followers to forgive others as they have been forgiven. We should practice forgiveness, let go of grudges and resentments, and seek reconciliation whenever possible.
One scriptural example of Jesus’ forgiveness is the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus forgives those who crucify Him. In the midst of His crucifixion, while suffering on the cross, Jesus speaks words of forgiveness. Luke 23:34 (ESV) records this profound moment:
“And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide his garments.”
In this instance, Jesus is expressing forgiveness for those responsible for His crucifixion, including the Roman soldiers and others involved. His words highlight the depth of His mercy and compassion, even in the face of extreme suffering. This act of forgiveness on the cross is a powerful demonstration of Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness and love for enemies and a pivotal moment in Christian theology emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Forgiveness – Part 2
Another example where Jesus demonstrated forgiveness is found in the encounter between Jesus and a woman caught in adultery. This story is recounted in the Gospel of John, chapter 8, verses 1-11.
In the story, a group of religious leaders brings a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus, testing him and seeking to trap him. According to the law of Moses, such a woman should be stoned to death. They ask Jesus for his judgment, attempting to put him in a difficult position.
Instead of condemning the woman, Jesus responds with compassion and forgiveness. He famously says, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7, ESV). This statement prompts the accusers to leave one by one, starting with the older ones.
After the crowd disperses, Jesus turns to the woman and asks if anyone has condemned her. When she replies that no one has, Jesus says, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11, ESV). In this encounter, Jesus demonstrates forgiveness, refusing to condemn the woman and encouraging her to turn away from sin. This narrative underscores Jesus’ mercy and willingness to forgive, even in the face of judgment and condemnation from others.
Service to Others
Jesus served others in numerous ways, demonstrating a servant’s heart. As we embrace moving beyond the self, let’s look for opportunities to serve those in need, putting others’ needs before our own, at least for some portion of the time each week.
An example of Jesus’ service to others can be found in the Gospel of Mark, particularly in Mark 10:45. In this passage, Jesus emphasizes the purpose of his ministry and the attitude of service:
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
This statement reflects Jesus’ mission on Earth—to serve others selflessly. The context of this verse is a conversation where Jesus addresses his disciples’ ambition and desire for positions of honor. In response, Jesus teaches them about the nature of authentic leadership in the Kingdom of God, which involves a humble and servant-hearted approach.
The idea that Jesus came not to be served but to serve is a recurring theme in the Gospels. It manifests in various ways throughout his ministry, such as healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and teaching and guiding people. Jesus consistently demonstrated a life of service, putting the needs of others before his own, and inviting his followers to do the same. This teaching on servanthood remains a fundamental aspect of Christian ethics and discipleship.
Nonjudgmental Attitude
Jesus was known for his nonjudgmental approach to people, meeting them where they were and offering love rather than condemnation. We should avoid being overly judgmental and approach others with understanding and compassion.
An example of Jesus’ nonjudgmental approach to people can be seen in his interactions with Zacchaeus, a tax collector, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 19, verses 1-10.
Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector and a wealthy man. As a result, he was unpopular among the people due to the perception that tax collectors were often dishonest and exploited their positions for personal gain. When Jesus visited Jericho, a crowd gathered to see him, but Zacchaeus, being short, climbed a sycamore tree to get a better view.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up, saw Zacchaeus, and invited himself to Zacchaeus’ house. The people grumbled, saying that Jesus was going to be a guest of a man who was a sinner. However, in response to Jesus’ presence, Zacchaeus was moved to repentance and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold” (Luke 19:8, ESV).
Jesus, rather than condemning Zacchaeus or focusing on his past actions, responded with acceptance and redemption. He declared, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:9-10, ESV).
This encounter illustrates Jesus’ nonjudgmental approach, showing that he saw beyond societal labels and was willing to engage with individuals, offering them the opportunity for transformation and redemption. It emphasizes the transformative power of grace and the willingness of Jesus to extend mercy to those whom society may have deemed unworthy.
Prayer and Spiritual Connection
Jesus frequently withdrew to pray and connect with God. We must foster a strong prayer life and seek consistent spiritual connection. This way, we can gain strength, wisdom, and guidance to move beyond the self.
The Gospel of Matthew contains a notable scriptural example of Jesus’ focus on prayer and connecting with God. In Matthew 26:36-46, Jesus prays with his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane just before his arrest and crucifixion.
In this intense and crucial moment, Jesus expresses deep distress and sorrow. He tells his disciples, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch with me” (Matthew 26:38, ESV). Jesus then goes a little farther into the garden to pray, falling on his face and pleading with God: “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39, ESV).
Jesus returns to find his disciples sleeping and urges them to stay awake and pray. He goes away to pray two more times, each time repeating the same prayer. Despite the intense emotional and physical turmoil he is experiencing, Jesus prioritizes communion with God through prayer, seeking guidance and strength for the difficult path ahead.
This episode underscores the significance of prayer in Jesus’ life and his unwavering commitment to aligning His will with the Father’s. It serves as an example to His followers about the importance of seeking God in times of trial and making space for prayer to connect with the divine.
Generosity
Jesus emphasized the importance of generosity and giving. Let’s be generous with our resources, not only in terms of money but also in sharing our time, talents, and compassion with others.
A scriptural example of Jesus’ focus on generosity can be found in the story of the widow’s offering, as recorded in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 12, verses 41-44:
“And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’” (Mark 12:41-44, ESV)
In this account, Jesus observes people making contributions to the temple treasury. While many wealthy individuals contribute substantial amounts, Jesus singles out a poor widow who, despite her poverty, gives two small coins. Jesus commends her generosity, emphasizing that her sacrificial giving, proportionate to her means, is more significant than the larger donations made by wealthier individuals.
This story underscores Jesus’ value of sacrificial generosity. It highlights that the measure of generosity is not solely based on the amount given but on the heart and willingness to give, even in challenging circumstances. It encourages a perspective on generosity beyond material wealth and focuses on the sincerity and selflessness of one’s giving.
Living by Biblical Principles
If we are to succeed in moving beyond the self, we must familiarize ourselves with the teachings of Jesus in the Bible and strive to live by those principles. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is a vibrant source of Jesus’s ethical teachings. Revisit this sermon frequently, as its wisdom reveals itself a little at a time.
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
He said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the Earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
-Matthew 5:1-12
Living Beyond The Self
Moving beyond the self and emulating Jesus is a lifelong journey, and no one is perfect. It involves constant self-reflection, a willingness to learn and grow, and reliance on the grace of God. Regular engagement with the Bible, prayer, and participation in a supportive Christian community can provide guidance and encouragement in this journey. Merry Christmas!
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