06/08/2026
Tom’s2Cents – Just like Jesus
Not too long ago, I posted the eulogy that I delivered for my mom’s memorial back in July of this past year. So many of you had kind words about those thoughts and even said you almost felt like you knew her because of my description of her life. One sweet lady, a friend and member at my first preaching ministry, really touched my heart when she said something that was so important to me. She responded with the following: “Well said, Tom. I do think you are a lot like your mom, just so easy to be with, and you were always ready to talk.” Pretty heady words, indeed, but I promise I won’t let them go to my head because I know better.
Listen, I loved my dad, but let’s face it, Mom was the rock star in our family. So, to hear someone say that I was a lot like her is one of the highest compliments I could ever receive. Honestly, I think my sweet friend was being generous, but just knowing that I exemplified some of my mom’s qualities is enough for me. She was the best person I know, so of course, I want to be like her. I want to have the same qualities of grace and unconditional love that she exhibited, and I want to be the kind of friend who listens and responds compassionately as my mom did.
The truth is, I know I fall far short of the example my mom has set, but I believe that being like her is a worthy goal and one I will strive to achieve in my role as a friend, a pastor, a husband, a father, and a grandfather until my dying day.
Maybe you already know where I’m going with this. Amy Grant once sang a song entitled Her Father’s Eyes with the following lyrics: “She's got her Father's eyes, her Father's eyes. Eyes that find the good in things when good is not around. Eyes that find the source of help when help just can't be found. Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain, knowing what you're going through and feeling it the same.”
Yes, I want people to say I’m a lot like my mother, but more importantly, I want them to say, he’s got his Heavenly Father’s eyes and his Savior’s heart.” Furthermore, I hope they will say, “He serves like Jesus and loves like Jesus, and I want people to recognize that, even though I am far from a finished product, I follow the words and the heart of Jesus. In other words, I want to be a disciple of Jesus. A disciple is best defined as one who follows in the footsteps of another. In this case, that other is Jesus. That means, I act like Jesus, love like Jesus, think like Jesus, and serve like Jesus.
The word “Christian” seems to be losing its impact in our current culture. So many call themselves Christian, but each one seems to mean something different. Growing up, I always understood it to mean “little Christs,” indicating that I reflect the heart and teachings of the Savior. Instead, it has been hijacked by many who don’t look anything like Jesus. It’s as if I can be a Christian simply because I call myself one, not because I act like the one from whom I get my name.
This has caused many to become disheartened with the church, and some have gone so far as to say something like, “I’m not going to call myself a Christian anymore, I’m just going to be a follower of Jesus.” To that I say (with all compassion), well, duh. At least those who say this understand that it’s a contradiction to call yourself a Christian and not act like Jesus. When I say that, I mean the Jesus of the Bible, not the one who best supports my beliefs, but the one who holds my heart, controls my thoughts, and commands my obedience. In other words, we are only Christians when we are disciples who give up our will, submit to Jesus as Lord, and walk in His footsteps.
Jesus made this very clear when he said the following to those who believed in Him (incomplete faith) in John 8:31, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Again, he says in John 15:14, “You are my friends if you do what I command.” Then he leans even further into this hard truth when he says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Matt. 16:24, Mk 8:34 & Lk 9:23) And since I’m on a roll, how about this one found in John 15:10? “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” Surely, Jesus is making a connection between love and obedience here.
Remarkably, even AI understands what discipleship means because in response to a query about the subject, it draws this conclusion “. . . true discipleship requires actively holding to His (Jesus’) teachings, which leads to a transformative knowledge of truth and ultimately frees individuals from the bo***ge of sin and falsehood.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself, so I won’t. Instead, I just hope when people see me, they turn to their friend and say, “he’s just trying to act like Jesus.” If that happens, that will be good enough for me.
Grace and Peace,
Preacher Tom
