What would Jesus do? In this time we are living in, this is a question we may need to be asking ourselves a little more frequently. 

If you want to read what Jesus would in fact do, just pull your Bible out and read the gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. He showed anger to the Pharisees and their hypocrisy (Matthew 23:33). When Jesus reached Lazarus’ body, He wept over his death (John 11:32-35). Jesus went full-on Indiana Jones when He cleared the temple courts (John 2:13-22).

Jesus also showed great compassion for those suffering and healed the sick (Matthew 14:13-14; Matthew 20:30-34). He had empathy towards others. Even while Jesus was dying on the cross, He could see the pain His mother was experiencing and made sure she would be taken care of (John 19:25-27). Jesus expressed love and forgiveness to so many, including His enemies (Matthew 5:43-44). 

Jesus never sinned, and yet, He had to respond to different situations and expressed emotions. How do we respond to certain day-to-day difficulties? How do we respond to big issues surrounding our country and world right now? Maybe we should actually ask God, “What would Jesus do?” 

Jesus tells us the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40). Can you honestly say you are doing that? Can you say you love that person no matter their race, gender, religion, political ideology, or sexual orientation? If the answer is no, maybe you need to have a ‘Come to Jesus’ meeting. 

You never know what someone else is going through or why they act or believe what they do. Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it this way in his book, The Cost of Discipleship, “By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.”

Although COVID-19 is scary, we need to be showing compassion for those who are ill.  Of course, we need to use common sense and heed precautions, but ask if they need a meal dropped off. What this world could use right now is a little bit more of love like that. 

The Bible also encourages us to defend the oppressed and plead the case for the widow and the fatherless. We are called to do what is right and just (Isaiah 1:17, Jeremiah 22:13). Do your views, words, and actions align with the Bible?  

Have hard conversations. Be open to learn and to listen to someone else’s life stories, even if they’re different from your life story. Know that it is okay to change your stance on issues. Stand up for what is right and just. 

Zach Williams has a song called ‘Less Like Me’ with lyrics that sing,

“Somebody with a hurt that I could have helped. 

Somebody with a hand that I could have held. 

When I just can’t see past myself, Oh Lord, help me.

A little more like mercy, a little more like grace.

A little more like kindness, goodness, love, and faith.

A little more like patience, a little more like peace.

A little more like Jesus, a little less like me.”

Right now is a great time to start looking more like Jesus.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Whitney can be described by the opening lyrics of a few Tom Petty songs. She's a good girl who grew up in a small Indiana town who loves her mama, Jesus, and America too. She practices medicine as a physician assistant at an urgent care. Whitney is a music enthusiast and leads worship at her church. She has a heart for people, and wants to help young girls and women find their worth in Christ rather than what the world says of them. Whitney loves a good dad joke, the outdoors, spending time with family and friends, Southern manners, working on her fitness, attempting Pinterest crafts, and cheering on Indiana University basketball.