The Bible is very confusing if you have a simplistic mindset. But it is the wisdom of God to those who want to plumb the depth of God’s wisdom in dealing with us. Take the example of Samson in the Old Testament. We know him as this superman-type who killed a thousand men with his bare hands. But we also know of his kryptonite which was women. An army could not overcome him, but a waif of a girl sweet-talked him to death!

But if you read about his origin, you would never think that’s how his life would end. He had all the promises of a godly man who would deliver Israel from their woes. For example, God himself appeared before Samson’s mother and promised her that she will have a son when she was barren previously. It almost sounds exactly like the calling of Abraham and Sarah into making them patriarch and matriarch of a great nation. And God gave them specific instructions on how to raise this extraordinary boy in Samson.

With that kind of beginning, we’d expect Samson to turn out great. But unfortunately, he became an example of how not to be rather than an example to follow. What gives? If God is with him, how could he turn out so wrong?

But when I thought more about it, there really was no perfect example for us to follow. Abraham and Sarah messed up loyally, too. Islam exists because of their moment of weakness. Jacob, the father of the nation Israel, was a con-man. Even in his old age, when he’ supposed to be more godly and mature, he still prefers and idolizes his favorite son, Benjamin. David was no better. It was his affair that eventually caused the dividing of Israel. And on and on it goes. All these “saints” that we were told to look up to in our churches and follow the examples of, they were frankly not that good…

I believe God did that on purpose. These imperfect examples were really to lead us to One example that was perfect – Jesus Christ. All the other examples are there to lead us to think, “If these godly men failed so miserably, I have no chance. I don’t need an example. I need a substitute!”

And that is what Jesus is to us. He is not our example first. He is our substitute first. Only after we have received Him as our substitute – taking our sins and dying for them – we can look to Him as our example.

Are you looking to Jesus for your worth? Are you looking to Him to validate you? Are you going to Him to take your place daily? Do so!

PH