The rage in the Christian sub culture a few years ago was the "WWJD" sticks and braclets -- What Would Jesus Do? This simple acrostic was to remind us how we weere to respond to different situations and act like Jesus acted. I don't know about the rest of us, but my ability to act like Jesus has little to do with me and more to do with JESUS. You see the Bible tells me that "I am crucified with Christ....Christ lives through me!" I can't DO WHAT JESUS DID -- Unless i realize WHAT JESUS DID!
The writer of Hebrews wrote these power truths about Christ and His work....Hebrews 2:14-15 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. NASB95
So what did Jesus do?
1. Partook in Human Suffering - he put on flesh and dwelt amoung us. Not just hanging out in our world but He actually took on humanity and with it all the limitations and difficulties that go along with it! That encourages me that He loved me enough to do that but that if He did that and could make it through -- I can face whatever difficult I face.
2. Performed the Ultimate Sacrifice - It says "through death" -- that was the ultimate and praise God the complete sacrifice needed for salvation. I think sometimes we talk about redemption and salvation in such a way that we take for granted what the cost of salvation was. It cost Christ everything - he was scourged, beaten, hung from the cross, speared and sacrificed. And not for his sin -- but our sin! Because of this ultimate sacrifice I can live victorious over sin and death.
3. Preeminient over satan - I use a small "s' becuase he is not worthy of a capital. It states - "He rendered POWERLESS him who has power" - Christ is now exalted and has authority over satan and his ilk because he vanquished death. because there was a resurrection -- we can have ETERNAL LIFE -- we will never die. All fear is gone -- because there is no death. All my hope is in His ressurection over death and not in the hopeless of the world. You see, I can take risks for Christ, knowing that whatever happens to me is nothing -- I can never die!
4. Provided freedom over Slavery - I am no longer a slave to sin, becuase Christ gave me victory. Before christ I was in bondage and living a meager life of a slave of satan. But when Christ died and rose again, my chains were broken, my cell door sprung open and I was free at last. As a free man, I live in joy, peace and ful;fillment. I am not a guilty man or man bond with shame -- all of that is gone in Christ. Now satan tries to handcuff me every now and then....but he can not do it when I stand firm on the freedom i have in Christ.
There you have it! I don't need to ask "What Would Jesus Do" -- better ask "What HAs Jesus DONE!" In that truth we find the confidence and pow4er to live like Jesus and for Jesus!