Jesus
would leave a fragrant incense of peace in this home of Martha and Mary through
His method of meeting diversities in the viewpoints and temperaments of two
whom He loved, and so may we do likewise if we will but follow the copy He has
been for us.
Similar
conditions are with us still. It must be taken as inevitable that diversities
of viewpoint will be found among those whom we should want to believe were
sincere in their love for the Lord. Therefore, as we have opportunity to aid
others help where there is need of wise counsel, how helpful we can be if we
note well the example of Jesus. He would not leave the atmosphere of the
Another
home of Jesus' day still stands beside our pathway. It is the home of Zaccheus.
He, too, was a publican, and we may assume he was much like others similarly employed.
He admits having taken more tax than the government required, as others in his
trade did, and thereby gained for themselves a general disrepute. Nevertheless,
into this man's home Jesus invites Himself. No mention is made of what subjects
were discussed there, but we may safely conclude that the trend of our Lord's
conversation and spirit would be such as to make the most favorable impression
on His host. We cannot think of Jesus as going to this home to chide Zaccheus
for his occupation. More consistently, it can be believed that it was a
complete avoidance of such things on the part of Jesus, and the graciousness of
His spirit by which His host was made to see, by contrast, the beauty of Jesus’
character as compared with his own. Jesus was quietly diffusing the fragrance
of love and goodness, while Zaccheus was quietly
feeling the impulse of desire to be a more worthy person himself. Thus, he
was left cherishing higher ideals, seeing with clearer perception the beauty
of dealing justly with others, and possessing a spirit of generosity akin to
that which he had seen so wonderfully exemplified in the manner of Jesus’ life.
Here
again we may note our Lord with profit. How has it been with us under similar
circumstances when opportunities came in which we could help others to see the
higher standards of faith and practice? Have we been disposed to be crusaders,
pugnaciously attacking those we disagree with? Have we been plain speakers
telling others what they should or should not hold or do according
to our understanding? If so, the good accomplished will be meager indeed,
because the method is contrary to the pattern our Lord left us. Better far to
let kindly actions speak louder than words. Better that one’s life itself would
express the beauties of true holiness, and to so act that where there is a need
for correcting lives we touch, the influence of a good example will leave them
coveting the nobler and better qualities of character. A sermon on brotherly kindness may be
faultlessly presented; a dissertation on holy conduct may be set forth in true
Scriptural fashion, but these attainments exemplified in a speaker's own life
and attitude will linger in the memory of hearers long after every spoken word
will have faded from leaky minds. How
many homes have been influenced for good by our personal visits, our letters,
or by the various ways in which we affect others for good or ill? If we are to
be true workers together with the Lord Jesus, we must remember that all the
footprints He left are for our guidance in all things.
The
careful student of Jesus' example cannot miss observing how very ready He was
to credit merit wherever He found it. One of the great lessons His immediate
disciples had to learn was along this line, and no less is our need of the same
instruction. Jesus was never the exclusive character we too easily become. On
many occasions our Lord's steps led into the homes of officials of the Roman
army and the homes of synagogue rulers. In this way, He mingled with scribes
and Pharisees as well as publicans. Sometimes it was to share a meal, or to lay
His healing hand on fevered brows, or restore a loved one to life. If at times,
He spoke in scathing terms against corruptions among religious leaders, the perfect
balance of His character enabled Him to see both the good and the evil among
them. He could see evidence in one that he was "not far from the kingdom." He was so impressed with the faith
of another that He said, "I have not found so great faith, no not in
But
was Jesus our example in all these ways? Was He a pattern of
doing good to all men as opportunity presented
and as privileges come whereby others were helped? Surely, so! How else can we
live and be true to our mission as "luminaries
in the world, exhibiting the word of life"? We must also be our
brother's keeper, pledged to lay down our life for him. We are to be "an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in
spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim.
O, how much it means to retrace the perfect One’s
footsteps with the exactness we should. How much it means to note carefully all
the instructions left for our guidance in every aspect of daily life. As we continue
on, giving full attention to our perfect Example; as hopefully, lesson after
lesson is learned, with the promised help given us, may the hope be entertained,
that we too may yet say with the same joy and confidence as Paul did, "Now thanks be to that God, who always
leads us forth to triumph with the Anointed One, and who diffuses by us the
fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place" (2 Cor. 2:14,
Diaglott).
- J. J. Blackburn
Sweetly Lord, have we
heard Thee calling, “Come follow Me!”
And we see where Thy footprints falling, lead us to Thee.
Footprints of Jesus, that makes the pathway glow;
We will follow the steps of Jesus wherever they go.
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