You may remember the day when the teacher told you to get out that large round pencil and your tablet — it was time to learn to write the alphabet.

The letters were written on the board, and the idea was to copy them exactly as the teacher wrote them. After getting one line of letters, students were to continue writing the letters down the page and make them look as close as possible to the top line. As the writer moved down the tablet, the letters got further away from the shape of the original letters. The only way to get them back in shape was to look back at the original letters and start a new page.

Those who desire to live a life that is pleasing to God and want to be able to enjoy heaven one day must follow the example that God gave us, Jesus Christ. Peter wrote, “For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps, who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:21-22). Christ serves as our example, and the closer we stay to him the better our lives will be.

Let’s notice some things about our example. Jesus is our example of obedience, in doing the will of his father. Even when it meant pain and suffering, he still prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39). Mankind must also do the father’s will (Matthew 7:21-23) in order to be pleasing to God.

The Bible teaches that we are to have faith (Hebrews 11:6), to repent of our sins (Luke 13:3), to confess Jesus as the son of God (Romans 10:9, 10) and to be baptized for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38).

After this, the example must be followed in serving God all our lives.

Jesus’ example is seen in his compassion for men. He took the time to care for the sick, comfort the bereaved and do many other good things. A leper was to be avoided, but Jesus healed the afflicted’s illness, showing that all need to be helped.

At the tomb of Lazarus, our Lord stood and wept. He cared about the hurt of the family and friends and for Lazarus himself. Not only did he care for the physical needs of people, he was concerned about their spiritual needs. On one occasion the Bible tells us he was “... moved with compassion...” because the multitude was as a flock without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). The Bible tells us of his mission on Earth.

“For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Next week, we will further discuss the topic of Jesus’ example.