Day 10

"'Do you understand what I have done for you?' he asked them. 'You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.'"

John 13:12-15

Martin Luther stated that we should look to the things that Jesus said rather than using him as an example. As a strong Lutheran, I have to wholeheartedly disagree. I think Jesus is an example for us in a completely different way than the great fathers like Abraham and Jacob, but he is an example nonetheless.

Today, I focused on setting a good example as a Christian. Any good parent, teacher, leader, or boss knows that leading by example is the best way to achieve results. Rewards and punishments, threats, yelling, etc. are not the right way to lead. If a parent wants their child to chew with her mouth closed, the parent needs to chew with his mouth closed. If a teacher wants her students to treat one another with respect, she needs to treat them with respect. And the list goes on.

Jesus knew this concept. Usually, he lead by example without saying anything to his disciples. He taught, preached, healed, and loved without explaining to his disciples that they should follow his lead. In this instance, as well as a few others, he says to his (admitedly slow to learn) disciples that they should follow his example.

So the question is, do I lead by example? I know that when I'm babysitting, I do my best to do so. But what about when I'm driving? Do I live liek a Christian then? What about when I eat out, watch a movie, or go to the park? I like to think that I set a good example most of the time. I treat servers with respect, as I would like to be treated. I try to nod hello to people when I'm out walking with Wes. There are definitely times when this is not the case. You may have guessed...one of those times is when I'm driving. I'm sure there are more, but I need to remember to lead by example, not get upset when people aren't acting the way I think they "should."