We’re pretty good at putting people on a pedestal. We look up to athletes, influencers, famous people, pastors and even historical figures. I remember in the 90’s that Gatorade made a commercial called “Be Like Mike” with a catchy song reminding us to be like Michael Jordan. I also remember wanting to buy posters of all the people I looked up to so I could hang them on my walls. Then Charles Barkley made a Nike commercial telling everyone he wasn’t a role model and it made waves that sparked a national debate on how celebrities should act. Today I’m visiting Mount Rushmore where we pay tribute to great American presidents of the past. It’s good to have people to look up to, but every one of them have flaws because they’re human.
In Matthew 17, we read a story where Jesus took Peter, James and John up Mount Tabor in Israel. There Jesus changed in front of their eyes. His face began to shine brightly, much like Moses’ had at Mount Sinai. His clothes became white as lightning and the disciples saw their historical heroes, Moses and Elijah, show up next to Jesus. Peter began to say they needed to build 3 tabernacles like in the Old Testament for them. As he was speaking and equating them to Jesus, God spoke and said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased and delighted! Listen to Him!” (AMP) God reminded them that Moses and Elijah were just human, but Jesus was God. He wanted them to listen to Him above their heroes of the faith. It was a life changing moment for them because the transfiguration of Jesus also transfigured how they saw Him.
In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul wrote, “Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” He understood the temptation to put him or any pastor, leader or person on a pedestal. He reminds us that we are to follow and emulate people as they emulate Christ. We have no better example of how to live that Him. We can read about Him in the Gospels, and what’s more is that He invites us into a personal relationship with Him. When we enter into a relationship with Him, we should go beyond knowing about Him to knowing Him personally. People will let you down and people will fail, but Jesus never will. Listen to your spiritual leaders, learn from them and imitate them as they imitate Christ. We bear His name as Christians. It’s time our lives reflected His.
Photo by Alex Woods on Unsplash
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 