"Be like Jesus this my song, in the home and in the throng, be like Jesus all day long, I would be like Jesus."  These are the words to a song we enjoyed singing when I was in elementary school.  I look back with fond memories of being with other children that also wanted to be "good" and do what was right.  Of course we were much like other children in school and in play; but disagreements were usually laid aside quickly and easily.  When I was in high school a popular saying was "what would Jesus do?"  Or WWJD.  This also seemed to have a positive effect as we began making decisions for ourselves.  However, I began to notice there were many different ideas and opinions of what Jesus would do! 

How can we know for sure what Jesus would do?  Do we have something concrete that can show us what Jesus would do today, and how we can be like Him? The answer is yes!  The Bible properly understood gives us principles that we can safely follow.  Jesus said "Search the scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."  John 5:39.  The scriptures referred to are the Old Testament scriptures. 

In His famous sermon on the mount Jesus said "think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfil." Mathew 5:17.  The "law" was a reference to the books of Moses, the first five books of the Bible, the beginning of the written Word.  The "prophets" were the other writers of scripture whose work had been tested and found to be in harmony with what God had already said.  Again, to us this is the Old Testament.  Often, in the gospels we see the words "now this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet…"  Did you ever think of the Old Testament as prophecies about the life of Christ?  People like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Daniel, to mention just a few, all show us a little of what it means to be like Jesus.  Others, in many different stories, show us clearly what is not Christ-like.  When a prophet makes a prediction and it comes to pass we then believe that prophet and have confidence in what he says; this is how we should view the Old Testament.  They are prophecies that find fulfilment in Christ and their teachings stand forever sure.  Together with the life and death of Jesus revealed in the New Testament we have the clearest revelation of our Heavenly Father. 

Jesus knew the scriptures.  Even as a child his understanding amazed the teachers of his day.  Luke tells the story of His first visit to the temple at age twelve.  After his parents had started the journey home without him they returned and "found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.  And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."  Luke 2:46, 47.  Later, as he was beginning his ministry, the devil brought on him the severest temptations; but to each one Jesus answered with "it is written."  It was by the scripture that Jesus was able to both recognize sin and find strength to resist it. 

The scriptures were also the basis for his teaching.  Mark tells us that when the people were gathered together that "he preached the word unto them."  Mark 2:2.  And when a lawyer asked him what he could do to inherit eternal life Jesus answered "What is written in the law?  How readest thou?"  Luke 10:26.  Jesus wants us to read and understand the scriptures today. 

After his resurrection, before revealing himself to two of his heart broken disciples, he first explained the scriptures that told about him.  "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself."  Luke 24:27.  It was more important that the faith of Christ's followers be based on the written word than their own personal experience.  Peter tells us "we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts."  2 Peter 1:16-19. 

Our first step to be like Jesus each day is to meditate on his word.  Then we can know "what would Jesus do."  And truly appreciate the words of that old song "Be like Jesus this my song, in the home and in the throng, be like Jesus all day long, I would be like Jesus."