Center for Creative Ministry A research organization and research center for Seventh-day Adventist pastors and their congregations
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Imagine growing up watching your favorite sport and “idolizing” its most elite player … only to one day be compared to the legend.
That’s the situation in which the 23-year-old Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka finds himself. And Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta says Saka’s emulation of football (soccer) legend Cristiano Ronaldo is a positive thing. However, Saka counters that matching Ronaldo’s career longevity is unimaginable.
Only time will tell. In the meantime, Saka continues striving toward emulating Ronaldo’s career statistics by mirroring the superstar’s mentality, work ethic, skill development, and on-field chemistry with his teammates.
Any fan who studies the game knows that unless Saka suffers a significant injury or signs with a low-ranking team, the stats books predict a bright future for the young footballer.
Although the world offers countless charitable givers, industrious workers, wise counselors, faithful believers, and many others after whom we can model ourselves, only One serves as the perfect example of how to live.
Jesus Christ, in His short time on Earth, demonstrated how each of us should aim to live, and instructed us follow His example (John 13:15). He qualified this instruction by confirming that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, our ultimate Teacher, because He is the Lord (John 14:6, John 13:13).
Jesus goes as far as to say that “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
Christ’s divinity should be easily perceived by anyone who diligently studies the Scriptures, for He fulfills the Messianic prophecies and Mosaic law, all while exemplifying the love and character of God the Father.
Unfortunately, some of us bog ourselves down in the nitty-gritty details and miss what Christ is actually trying to teach us (John 5:36-40, Isaiah 1:17). Others of us try so hard to love and serve like Jesus that we fall away from studying the Scriptures, which is to our detriment.
Jesus intimately knew the Scriptures (Luke 24:27) and then lived them out, showing us how we should study and live by them too.
For Reflection
Connecting: After whom in your life have you modeled yourself? Has there been anyone you strive to avoid mirroring?
Sharing: Read John 14. What does it mean to “see” the Father?
- To live, serve, and love like Jesus
- To diligently study the Scriptures
- To spread the gospel
- To receive God’s forgiveness of my sins
- To abide by the urgings of the Holy Spirit
- Other
Applying: Consider your spiritual gift(s). In what way can you use these gifts to emulate Christ’s character in your community?
Valuing: How do you find the balance between serving like Christ and anchoring yourself in Scripture?
~ Stefani Leeper
The Center for Creative Ministry is fully recognized by the North American Division (NAD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; it is also a 501c3 nonprofit organization which makes donations tax deductible in the U.S.
