Mirroring/Emulating Jesus-1

MIRRORING/Emulating JESUS-I—1Peter 3:18--4:6

Attention:

Every day, just before I leave for work, I put certain things in my pockets as I get ready to leave the house—2 to 3 sets of keys, a comb, a pocketknife, a phone, etc.

Hershey(our largest dog) often follows me into the bedroom, lies on the bed, & watches me fill my pockets & put on my sunglasses or my hat. He anticipates my next move might involve him because he loves to ride in the car. If I put my key fob & wallet in my pocket, he is on ‘high alert.’

We have a large mirror over our dresser, which I face as I fill my pockets, etc.. Though my back is to Hershey, He can see my facial expressions because of the mirror. If I direct my attention to Hershey’s reflection in the mirror,(my back to him) & just mouth the words, “You wanna go for a ride?” He will immediately jump off the bed & jump up & down, KNOWING he’s going for a ride in the car.

*For Hershey, my mirror image is so clear/perfect, as to be virtually indistinguishable from the real me who is standing there!

Likewise, Christians are to clearly/perfectly mirror Jesus for the sake of others, who do not know Him—that they might be saved—& for those who do know Him & might be built up in their faith.

Need:

When your heart is set apart(‘sanctified’) to discovering & living out God’s will, then others, who have never heard or have merely ‘heard of’ God’s truth, will hear it from & thru you & the ministries to which you are called & in which you are involved.

Peter calls his audience to mirror/reflect/emulate Christ Jesus.

God’s people will strive to intentionally mirror/reflect Christ Jesus.

What of Christ Jesus are God’s people to reflect/mirror?

Some reflections of a faithfully mirrored Jesus.

1—Mirroring Jesus reflects...?CHRIST’s SACRIFICE(:18)

Explanation:(:18)Sufferings & Death

:18—“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,”

“For...”

This section(:18-22) answers the rationale(‘the why’/the “for”) for the saint’s ‘righteous sufferings’ under the will of God(cf.-minimally--:17; maximally--2:11--3:17...

‘CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE &’--A)Government--2:11-17; B)Work(employment)--2:18-25; C)Marriage(wives--3:1-6 -&- husbands--3:7); D)Church--3:8-12; E)‘The SUPERIOR VALUE Of A SANCTIFIED HEART’--3:13-17).

FYI—Three different prepositions are translated as “for”(NKJV) in :18.

“For/Because”(See also--peri & uper below)—oti—Conjunction—1) That, because, since. Strong—neuter of ostiv[Which some, i.e. Any that; also (definitively)--Which same]as conjunction; demonstrative--That(sometimes redundant); causative--Because.

“Christ also suffered...”

The major reason behind the willful “suffering” of the people of God, is due to the fact that Christ Himself has set the bar regarding willful “suffering.”

‘Majority Texts’ instead of having the word “suffered”(pascw/payw/penyw), have instead the word “died(apoynhskw).” This emphasizes the fulfillment of His having “suffered” as being completed on the Cross.

Christ Jesus “suffered” in His service to God’s design, thus His people will/should emulate/mirror His suffering. Jesus’ submission is generally seen in His:

1)Coming to earth...

2)Taking on human flesh...

3)Being a bondservant(Php. 2:6-8)...

4)Cross-work(death, resurrection, ascension)....

*All of the above are implied in any consideration of Jesus’ “suffering” &/or death.

2Cor. 5:20-6:1—“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He[God the Father] made Him[God the Son] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.”

Gal. 1:3-5—“Grace to you & peace from God the Father & our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God & Father, to whom be glory forever & ever. Amen.”

Gal. 3:13-14—“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

Eph. 2:11-13—“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands-- that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel & strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope & without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

“Also”(See :19; :13—“And”)—kai—Conjunction—1) And, also, even, indeed, but. Strong—And, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection(or composition) with other particles or small words.