I know we all know what that stands for: what would Jesus do. And, it was quite the popular phenomenon while I was growing up. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, I knew had a bracelet…or 12. I still wore when at some point in college. It was a good reminder. You’re thinking about doing something mean, you look down, oh–what would Jesus do? He probably wouldn’t hit that kid, be rude to that girl, or laugh at that person. And so, the cutesy bracelets helped middle school Emily. Thinking about what Jesus would do helped dictate what I would or wouldn’t do.
But as I get older, I think my Christianity needs to go further than that. Yes, I absolutely need to live my life imitating the life that Jesus led (1 Cor.10:31-11:1). I need to reach out to the poor and needy and try to heal the brokenness of our society. I need to love everyone. I need to be the hands and feet of my Savior. But why? Is it because it’s what Jesus would do, or is it because of what Jesus did?
My life, my Christianity, needs to be defined by what did Jesus do. When making decisions, when facing temptations, when interacting with others–every motive needs to be what did Jesus do for me? And the answer is nothing short of amazing.
Paul wrote it this way in Galatians 2,
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.“
Why do I live the Christian life? Because Jesus didn’t get to. Instead, He chose to cut His life short: to suffer and die on a rugged, humiliating tree (1 Pet. 2:24). Peter says,
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:”
Why do I live the way I do? Why do I joyfully accept persecution, ridicule & backlash for living this way? Because Jesus did what He did.
And so, in the midst of decision and turmoil and joy and heartbreak and grief and anxiety and happiness and excitement, I make my choices on attitude and apparel and actions based on what Jesus did. Because how could I mistreat anyone knowing the Son of God died for sinful, unworthy, hopeless me? How could I neglect the needs of someone knowing that God supplied my every need by giving Jesus to die on the cross?
Take your Christianity to the next level by not only asking what would Jesus do, but what did Jesus do, and why?
