WHAT IS A PARADIGM?
Anyone who has studied a language, has been taught to conjugate verbs, set out for us in columns to be learnt by heart – paradigms, these tables are called. The word comes from two Greek words παρά/para meaning beside, and δεικνυμι/deiknymi, to show,
A paradigm is the setting forth of examples side by side – a pattern if you like, to follow!
WE LEARN BY EXAMPLE
The idea of an example, is a powerful one.
Many things in life are taught us by example. Our parents taught us to tie our shoelaces, brush our teeth, and eat with a knife and fork. My father taught me to handle boats and to sail! All this by example. Importantly, my parents taught me to walk!
If the question is: “How do you walk with God”, Jesus is our example – here is a pattern, a paradigm to follow!
BUT WHAT CAN AND CANNOT BE FOLLOWED?
Jesus was sent from the Father’s side – which is a more literal translation of John 16,28.
As the Only-Begotten of the Father he was given authority to give life to whom he willed, and to judge (John 5:21-22).
His mission was to reveal the Father and to be an atonement for sin!
But as the incarnate Word, he lived a life of humility, obedience and dependency on the Father!
THIS IS HOW WE WALK
At all times, but particularly when life is challenging, a pattern can keep you going!
Here is a pattern that we can take from Jesus as we reflect on John’s gospel:
1. “As the Father sent me, so I send you”, says Jesus (John 20:21).
We also are ‘sent’ persons! That means that you and I represent Jesus Christ as we walk this earth! We (as the Church) are given authority to forgive or withhold forgiveness (20,23). As the Church, and as individual Christians we are entrusted with the Gospel. We are Christ’s ambassadors in word and in deed!
2. “I always do what pleases him”, says Jesus of the Father (John 8:29).
I too want that to be the motto of my life!
3. My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and accomplish his work! (John 4:34).
Jesus accomplished his Father’s will, being obedient unto death. Now the Lord has sent me, sent you! Let our food be to do his will!
4. Best not to forget our Master’s words:
“When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:12-17)
5. The Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing! (John 5:19).
We can do nothing unless we abide in the Vine, abide in Jesus (John 15:5).
The Father is Jesus’ source. E.g: “The Father in me he does the works!” (John 14:10 KJV)
In Jesus; like Jesus, we can direct our attention, our love and our faith to the Father as our source for all things!
That’s why Jesus says:
“In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:23-24)
LASTLY, THE COMMANDMENT
And let’s not forget the only explicit commandment of Jesus to us in this gospel:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34)