"Be Like Mike"?

 The "Be Like Mike" Gatorade commercial campaign from the 1990s convinced youngsters, and some not so young youngsters, that if they wanted to be more like basketball star Michael Jordan, drinking Gatorade was a big part of the process. Great marketing campaign, Gatorade saw an iconic legend in the making and they positioned themselves right there alongside Michael Jordan's thirst quenching image. As it was in the 1990's it is still the same today in 2026, people are desperately looking for someone to "be like". Sports figures, glamorous movie stars, or possibly even more current social media influencers garner thousands or possibly millions of followers who dream to be like ______________. (You fill in the blank). The question begs to be asked, if the world wanted to be like Michael Jordan then and the world wants to be like X, Y, or Z, is there a firm, more reliable example that we should all be striving to be like? 

I would like to suggest that there is an example that exists and His example has been available for us to follow for over 2,000 years. Jesus came to this world and lived a sinless life. Now that example may be hard for us to follow, the Bible even tells us in Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God". We aren't and can't be sinless like Jesus, but in comparison, I can't drink Gatorade and suddenly start doing 360 dunks either. I can't be Michael Jordan, that job has already been taken, and I can't be Jesus either. I just have to strive to be more like Him, "Be Like Jesus". 

The early followers of Jesus had a real life upper hand on us, they actually walked with Jesus, listened to His teachings, observed His healings, and learned first hand what Jesus lived out when He, by example, displayed to them how to forgive and to love even in the most extreme circumstances. Jesus was arrested without committing a crime, convicted by a mob jury and sentenced to death, beaten and tortured by Roman soldiers, and laughed at in His pain and suffering. (Luke 22-23). What did Jesus do? Before we hear the answer to that question, we need to compound the pain and suffering by adding being nailed to a wooden cross so that he could be crucified as demanded by the mob that had gathered that day. And what did Jesus do? First, we know what He didn't do, Jesus did not seek retaliation. His purpose was not to condemn or punish people, Jesus came to this world to save it not destroy it. "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28. While Jesus hung on a cross between two convicted criminals, suffering the pain and agony of crucifixion, beaten, downgraded, mocked, and spit upon, Jesus quietly whispered a prayer to His Father in Heaven, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do". Luke 23:24. "Be Like Jesus".

After Jesus' death on the cross, it would have been plausible to believe that the movement He had started would sputter and eventually fade out for whatever religion came next. His resurrection provided the evidence that this was not just another man, this man Jesus, was truly more than just "another man". Men like Peter, James, John, and eventually Paul who converted from being a persecutor of Christians to the author of the majority of the books in the New Testament, lived out the example that Jesus displayed. One minor character's story found in the Book of Acts truly exemplifies the impact Jesus had on His early followers. In Acts 7:54-60 we read about Stephen who was stoned to death because he was sharing the Good News of life eternal through the redemption of sin which the death of Jesus provided to us all. Stephen's unwillingness to break from his trust and faith in God is an example many would shy away from today, but it was something else that I read in the account of Stephen's death that glared out at me that needs to be shared. As the blunt impact of heavy stones crushed his body, Stephen prayed. And what did he pray? Lord have revenge on these people who are murdering me, not a chance. Stephen who in moments would take his last breath cried out "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." Acts 7:60. "Be Like Jesus".

Stephen was a minor character in the Bible, his role in demonstrating that the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross was not lost is a major story worth sharing. Today, you will make hundreds of choices and decisions that will influence or impact those you love or share life with in many different capacities. What example will you display? Will you live a life that looks like the way of this world, or will you choose to... "Be Like Jesus"? 

Coach Carter