Consider Jesus: Humanity’s Ideal
In the teacher sent from God, heaven gave to men its best and greatest. He who had stood in the councils of the most high, who had dwelt in the innermost sanctuary of the eternal, was the one chosen to reveal in person to humanity the knowledge of God…Through Christ had been committed every ray of divine light that had ever reached our fallen world. It was he who had spoken through everyone that throughout the ages that declared God’s word to man…To reveal this ideal as the only true standard for attainment… for this, Christ came to this world. Education Chapter 8 - The Teacher Sent from God. Pg. 73
Being one's "IDEAL" implies exalting that person as the epitome of perfection. The archetype (original model or type from which other things are patterned). The criterion (a standard, rule, or test). The example, The Model, The only pattern. The quintessential (being the most typical). Supreme.” Collins Dictionary and the Thesaurus, Free Dictionary.com.
- Jesus is presented in scripture as humanity’s ideal sacrifice for the sin of the World:
Jn. 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (see 35,36); Heb 9:26, 28 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself…[28] So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
- Jesus is to be considered because of His purpose of becoming human and His knowledge influencing sacrifice for all humanity:
Jn. 10:10…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Jn. 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (see Jn. 1:1,3,14; Isa. 53:10,11; 1 Pet. 1:18,19; Jn. 12:32,33).
- Jesus is to be considered because He made the way possible for humanity to experience perfection through His exemplary earthly life:
Heb. 2:14-18 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that hath the power of death, that is, the devil;
[15] And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. [16] For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but took on Him the seed of Abraham. [17] Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful Hight Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation of the sins of the people. [18] For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted.
1 Pet. 2:21-23 For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:[22]Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth. Gal. 1:3,4 Grace be unto you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. [4]Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.
- Jesus is to be considered because He is YahWeh’s (God) wisdom to all who accept Him:
1 Cor. 1:24,30 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God…[30]But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification.
- Jesus is to be considered because He is YahWeh (God) in word, YahWeh’s glory, YahWeh (God) himself:
Jn.1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jn. 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me within own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. Mic. 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, thought-out be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting.
- Jesus is to be considered because salvation can come through no other:
Jn. 14:6 Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts. 13:26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
- Jesus is to be considered because to Him is given the responsibility of the judgment of humanity:
Jn. 5:21-24 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. [22]For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. (see Jn. 5:24,30; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Jn. 4:17; Bible Commentary Bk.7. pg. 970)
We are not to imitate any human being. There is no human being who is knowledgeable enough to serve as our criterion. We should turn to the man, Christ Jesus, who is perfect in righteousness and holiness. He is the author and finisher of our faith. He's the blueprint maker. His experience is the benchmark for the experience we are going to acquire. His character serves as a model for us. Let us then turn our attention away from the perplexities and difficulties of this life and focus it on Him, so that by beholding we may be transformed into His likeness.