Long suffering, thereupon brothers, even until the coming of the Lord...*
The Greek word used here for long suffering is complicated, I can not find an English word that traces back to this word. It is ussually translated as bear (suffer) long, be longsuffering, have (long) patience, be patient, patiently endure. It is the word μακροθυμέω (makrothumeō) is from makros "long, length" and thumos "soul, heart, will; thought, mind; wrath, anger, rage, passion." Strong's Exhaustive Concordance defines it, to be long-spirited, i.e. (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient -- bear (suffer) long, be longsuffering, have (long) patience, be patient, patiently endure. Patience, long suffering, perseverance, these are character traits, which are related to personality, which are related to our soul. Long suffering is a characteristic of God, and of a mature Christian who reflects His image.
obtaining the goal of your faith; salvation of your soul.*
The definition of patience includes a lot; capacity of calm endurance; forbearance; tolerant and even-tempered perseverance; the capacity for calmly enduring pain, trying situations; the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain without complaint, loss of temper, or anger; an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay; quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence. Since long suffering is more related to our soul than our spirit it is better defined as a long soul. The concept of a long soul encompasses all the things mentioned above. Having a long soul is beneficial as we have to deal with suffering in this body of death. I believe the idea of it being of our soul is important as the soul is the seat of emotion, feeling, and thought. Peter writes the goal of our faith is the salvation or preserving of our soul. This separates being born of Spirit, a testimony we have of being His child, from salvation of our soul, which is about our calling and purpose to share in His holy character. So we have testimony of Spirit and blood but let us move on to maturity, to preservation of our souls, let us move on to adulthood.
There is entering the kingdom of God through being born of Spirit, a child has testimony knowing the Father and that his sins have been forgiven. And there is salvation (deliverance, welfare, prosperity, preservation) of the soul. A person mature in Christ, as John writes, knows who was from the beginning. The mature know Jesus intimately. Maturity comes through growth in the knowledge of the Son, and being transformed to his image in enduring suffering, so we see what it means to know Him. For the purpose of knowing Him, Paul writes he counts all else loss. If we grow up in knowledge of the Son and maturity is to grow up in Him then to know Him is to grow in Him. And since we have been rooted and grounded in faith and love, to know Him is to believe and love Him. And our victory is through faith, which increases through abiding in Him. We endure looking to Jesus and how he endured, and how he long suffered, had a long soul that endured suffering. It is the character of the Son of man and this characteristic is needed for us so we do not lose heart.
therefore he fell in reverence before him saying, be long suffering toward me and I will repay all.*
In this parable Jesus said the kingdom of God is about long suffering. God is long suffering towards us and if we understand such we would be towards others. Such goes against modern teachings much like other things Jesus said like give in a way no one knows and to all who beg you give and loan to those who can not afford to repay you so your reward is great in heaven. In context we see it is also about mercy, about forgiving a brother who did repent and ask for forgiveness, even if seventy times seven. Be long suffering toward a brother. Some teachings of repentance attempt to atone for sin and would accuse such a brother of playing games, of insincerity. But to the one overcoming such truth has much power.
Jesus is a propitiation for sin, not just ours but for the whole world. Prolonged anger and wrath is a sin. God is long suffering toward us. The kingdom of God is about His long suffering toward us thus to reflect His image we would be long suffering toward others. The same man who pleaded for long suffering toward himself went out and had someone who owed him a much lesser debt thrown in jail. He wanted mercy and long suffering toward his debt but did not give it in return. In essence we see the kingdom of God is about our soul, and not living to principles even if these are what Jesus would do. As a believer the good life is not about serving and giving but about the condition of your soul. And if you were to gain a good life according to the world's standards and lose your soul, what benefit is it? So as Peter writes the goal of faith is the salvation of our soul.
through all prayer and supplication, pray in every suitable place, in the Spirit, and to the extent of this, vigilant in all perseverance and petition concerning all the saints.*
Supplication speaks of asking in regards to a specific need, an area that we lack in. If we ask anything according to God's will and what we lack, need, it will be done to us, which specifically relates to growth, to your soul. James writes to not be lacking in anything is to achieve maturity and to have maturity we must have endurance and to have endurance there is a "proving" or testing. We are to be vigilant in all perseverance as evil wars against our soul. The word for perseverance προσκαρτέρησις (proskarterēsis) is from pros "to, towards, with" and kartereó which is translated as patient, persevere, endure, steadfastness. We see the words endurance, perseverance, patience, steadfastness are often used interchangeably so it is good to understand these concepts. Also I believe the concept of long suffering or a long soul encompasses all these qualities as characteristics of the Son of Man. In the parable of the persistent widow are we to believe we have to pester God to get His attention, maybe because He is so busy? Or is persistence, endurance, patience needed to overcome the carnal mind, evil, and unbelief? Our minds being renewed to have the mind of Christ is a goal. Surely supplication toward this need also requires perseverance as the work of endurance produces maturity and as James writes, a mature person is lacking in nothing.
Now, having endurance, having her perfect work, so that you may be mature and whole, lacking nothing.*
Is He Worthy?
obtaining the goal of your faith; salvation of your soul.*
The definition of patience includes a lot; capacity of calm endurance; forbearance; tolerant and even-tempered perseverance; the capacity for calmly enduring pain, trying situations; the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain without complaint, loss of temper, or anger; an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay; quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence. Since long suffering is more related to our soul than our spirit it is better defined as a long soul. The concept of a long soul encompasses all the things mentioned above. Having a long soul is beneficial as we have to deal with suffering in this body of death. I believe the idea of it being of our soul is important as the soul is the seat of emotion, feeling, and thought. Peter writes the goal of our faith is the salvation or preserving of our soul. This separates being born of Spirit, a testimony we have of being His child, from salvation of our soul, which is about our calling and purpose to share in His holy character. So we have testimony of Spirit and blood but let us move on to maturity, to preservation of our souls, let us move on to adulthood.
There is entering the kingdom of God through being born of Spirit, a child has testimony knowing the Father and that his sins have been forgiven. And there is salvation (deliverance, welfare, prosperity, preservation) of the soul. A person mature in Christ, as John writes, knows who was from the beginning. The mature know Jesus intimately. Maturity comes through growth in the knowledge of the Son, and being transformed to his image in enduring suffering, so we see what it means to know Him. For the purpose of knowing Him, Paul writes he counts all else loss. If we grow up in knowledge of the Son and maturity is to grow up in Him then to know Him is to grow in Him. And since we have been rooted and grounded in faith and love, to know Him is to believe and love Him. And our victory is through faith, which increases through abiding in Him. We endure looking to Jesus and how he endured, and how he long suffered, had a long soul that endured suffering. It is the character of the Son of man and this characteristic is needed for us so we do not lose heart.
therefore he fell in reverence before him saying, be long suffering toward me and I will repay all.*
In this parable Jesus said the kingdom of God is about long suffering. God is long suffering towards us and if we understand such we would be towards others. Such goes against modern teachings much like other things Jesus said like give in a way no one knows and to all who beg you give and loan to those who can not afford to repay you so your reward is great in heaven. In context we see it is also about mercy, about forgiving a brother who did repent and ask for forgiveness, even if seventy times seven. Be long suffering toward a brother. Some teachings of repentance attempt to atone for sin and would accuse such a brother of playing games, of insincerity. But to the one overcoming such truth has much power.
Jesus is a propitiation for sin, not just ours but for the whole world. Prolonged anger and wrath is a sin. God is long suffering toward us. The kingdom of God is about His long suffering toward us thus to reflect His image we would be long suffering toward others. The same man who pleaded for long suffering toward himself went out and had someone who owed him a much lesser debt thrown in jail. He wanted mercy and long suffering toward his debt but did not give it in return. In essence we see the kingdom of God is about our soul, and not living to principles even if these are what Jesus would do. As a believer the good life is not about serving and giving but about the condition of your soul. And if you were to gain a good life according to the world's standards and lose your soul, what benefit is it? So as Peter writes the goal of faith is the salvation of our soul.
through all prayer and supplication, pray in every suitable place, in the Spirit, and to the extent of this, vigilant in all perseverance and petition concerning all the saints.*
Supplication speaks of asking in regards to a specific need, an area that we lack in. If we ask anything according to God's will and what we lack, need, it will be done to us, which specifically relates to growth, to your soul. James writes to not be lacking in anything is to achieve maturity and to have maturity we must have endurance and to have endurance there is a "proving" or testing. We are to be vigilant in all perseverance as evil wars against our soul. The word for perseverance προσκαρτέρησις (proskarterēsis) is from pros "to, towards, with" and kartereó which is translated as patient, persevere, endure, steadfastness. We see the words endurance, perseverance, patience, steadfastness are often used interchangeably so it is good to understand these concepts. Also I believe the concept of long suffering or a long soul encompasses all these qualities as characteristics of the Son of Man. In the parable of the persistent widow are we to believe we have to pester God to get His attention, maybe because He is so busy? Or is persistence, endurance, patience needed to overcome the carnal mind, evil, and unbelief? Our minds being renewed to have the mind of Christ is a goal. Surely supplication toward this need also requires perseverance as the work of endurance produces maturity and as James writes, a mature person is lacking in nothing.
Now, having endurance, having her perfect work, so that you may be mature and whole, lacking nothing.*
The word endurance, ὑπομονή (hypomonē) is from hypó, "under" and ménō, "remain, abide." This word is translated also as patiently enduring. Endurance, perseverance, patience, steadfastness, are you confused yet? The root of this word is menó which means to abide, which really tells us how we endure, through abiding in Jesus. And since possessing endurance produces maturity, maturity comes through abiding, as Jesus said, one must abide in the Vine to bear fruit. He also said, the true disciple abides in his words, this one knows the truth and is set free.* Also we see a test of a Spirit of truth versus of error in that the Spirit teaches us to abide in Jesus, as consecration is in His words. Someone can claim to prophesy into your life and talk about the Spirit but if they know nothing about the words of Jesus, they do not abide, they are not mature. Mature plants produce fruit so judge by their fruit. The Spirit is Life through Christ, the Spirit is of the Truth and the truth is Jesus. And the Spirit is life through righteousness which implies growth, or the seed of righteousness being planted and growing up to bear fruit. While the Spirit is a part of raising us into newness of Life, the Spirit works not on its on but through Jesus. Therefore wholeness comes through growing up into maturity through truth in love, in which we must endure the proving, having a long soul, then the outcome is newness of life, wholeness, lacking in nothing.
consider it all joy brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing the proving of your faith produces endurance...*
Paul is thrown in jail and what does he do but sing joyfully? "Will not God prepare a feast before His elect who cry to Him day and night (prayer and supplication) also long suffer with them?"* Paul counted it joy when trials came because he knew there was a lesson in it and he had a long suffering, patiently enduring soul. So we see the concept of having a long suffering soul μακροθυμέω (makrothumeō) which includes endurance, ὑπομονή (hypomonē) and perseverance προσκαρτέρησις (proskarterēsis). From long suffering we get the idea of being far from wrath toward another brother. "Not groaning according another brother, so that not judged. Look the judge is standing at the door."* In context of an assumed wrong of a brother, even if it is until the Lord comes, who is the judge standing at the door. I am to love him and be long suffering toward him. God was rich in mercy to me, not judging me, so judge not lest I be judged, for those who are merciless, will be shown no mercy.*
either despise the riches of His kindness and forbearance and long suffering, ignorant that God's kindness leads to repentance.*
This is legalism, it is not long suffering, it forfeits grace, and despises God's kindness not knowing that the Law judged and condemned all men but God is demonstrating through Christ the riches of His grace in His kindness toward us,* It is the marvelous mystery of God that in Christ His manifold wisdom is being made known, that though we were dead in our trespasses and sin God from the riches of His mercy through His great love made us alive together in Christ.* God's Mercy triumphed God's judgement.* The mystery says that God's holiness is not questioned through this, no, sin is still judged and condemned in the flesh, this is the law of sin and death coming through the one man Adam, and we in Christ are not of the flesh but of the Spirit, therefore there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. And unlike the carnal man who could not fulfill the laws of God because they were not spiritual, we in Christ are spiritual and have power to fulfill the laws of God. The law of faith states this also, a righteousness is revealed freely apart from works of the laws, that doesn't nullify the law. Jesus came to give us the ability to become children of God.* In this is much mystery and power.
Agape love is long suffering, agape love is kind...*
Through the Church this mystery is being revealed, and in Christ we receive the understanding of God through the knowledge of the Son. Characteristics of God is that He is holy but also merciful, kind, forbearing, and long suffering. So to know Him through the Son. "The person who does not love does not know God, because God is love."* God is agape love and agape love is long suffering. So we see long suffering again, μακροθυμέω (makrothumeō) is a characteristic of agape love, of God's character. "The Lord is not late in fulfilling his promise like as some regard lateness, but is long suffering toward you, not willing that any perish but all come to repentance."* Even under the old covenant when God's wrath was poured out toward sin through the Law He was long suffering. "The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,"* The fruit of the Spirit is long suffering.* We must remember for a child to endure and become mature they must be rooted, have a proper foundation. And even an earthly person can discipline the body and learn endurance. We are called to holiness and commanded to agape love. If we were like Jesus we would love. And if we are matured in love and the bond of love leads to maturity then without love we will not endure, thus will not mature. The Church of Ephesus hated evil and possessed endurance but they had left their first, agape love.*
what if God willing to display his wrath and make known his power, did bear in great long suffering vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, also so that revealing the riches of his glory to the vessels of his mercy whom He prepared beforehand for glory.*
Some would say glory is that of going to heaven but heaven represents the glory of the One, whom sits on the throne, from which the living water flows, by which the trees of life with its twelve kinds of fruit grow, and the One from whom light radiates.* In whom there is no need of a sun as the Lamp is the light. And what is this city of God if not the Church, the pure bride of Christ? And who will enter, but those who conquer, overcome whose names are written in the book of life, those prepared beforehand for glory. So what is the glory of heaven? streets paved with gold? or Jesus? therefore transformation from glory to glory is being formed into His image, and why do we overcome and endure? if not to become mature, like Jesus? This is the proving of adulthood. The discipline of God is that we share in His holy character thus the image corrupted by the sin of Adam is being restored in us, vessels of His mercy, so that we are being prepared beforehand, formed into the image of the Son. Oh, this is the glory, and He is the hope of glory. Bearing in great long suffering he endured the cross for the joy set before him, leading many sons to glory. Do you see? He was glorified through suffering, consecrating himself in truth, enduring so that he leads the way for us. Long suffering is a characteristic of agape love, which bears, so God was rich in mercy through His great agape love for us. This kindness is demonstrated in this age, leading men to repentance.
Now, that in good soil, these exist those having heard the word in a profitable and good heart, and hold onto the word, also bearing fruit in endurance.*
Through the Church this mystery is being revealed, and in Christ we receive the understanding of God through the knowledge of the Son. Characteristics of God is that He is holy but also merciful, kind, forbearing, and long suffering. So to know Him through the Son. "The person who does not love does not know God, because God is love."* God is agape love and agape love is long suffering. So we see long suffering again, μακροθυμέω (makrothumeō) is a characteristic of agape love, of God's character. "The Lord is not late in fulfilling his promise like as some regard lateness, but is long suffering toward you, not willing that any perish but all come to repentance."* Even under the old covenant when God's wrath was poured out toward sin through the Law He was long suffering. "The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,"* The fruit of the Spirit is long suffering.* We must remember for a child to endure and become mature they must be rooted, have a proper foundation. And even an earthly person can discipline the body and learn endurance. We are called to holiness and commanded to agape love. If we were like Jesus we would love. And if we are matured in love and the bond of love leads to maturity then without love we will not endure, thus will not mature. The Church of Ephesus hated evil and possessed endurance but they had left their first, agape love.*
what if God willing to display his wrath and make known his power, did bear in great long suffering vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, also so that revealing the riches of his glory to the vessels of his mercy whom He prepared beforehand for glory.*
Some would say glory is that of going to heaven but heaven represents the glory of the One, whom sits on the throne, from which the living water flows, by which the trees of life with its twelve kinds of fruit grow, and the One from whom light radiates.* In whom there is no need of a sun as the Lamp is the light. And what is this city of God if not the Church, the pure bride of Christ? And who will enter, but those who conquer, overcome whose names are written in the book of life, those prepared beforehand for glory. So what is the glory of heaven? streets paved with gold? or Jesus? therefore transformation from glory to glory is being formed into His image, and why do we overcome and endure? if not to become mature, like Jesus? This is the proving of adulthood. The discipline of God is that we share in His holy character thus the image corrupted by the sin of Adam is being restored in us, vessels of His mercy, so that we are being prepared beforehand, formed into the image of the Son. Oh, this is the glory, and He is the hope of glory. Bearing in great long suffering he endured the cross for the joy set before him, leading many sons to glory. Do you see? He was glorified through suffering, consecrating himself in truth, enduring so that he leads the way for us. Long suffering is a characteristic of agape love, which bears, so God was rich in mercy through His great agape love for us. This kindness is demonstrated in this age, leading men to repentance.
Now, that in good soil, these exist those having heard the word in a profitable and good heart, and hold onto the word, also bearing fruit in endurance.*
As the parable of sowing states the Christian life is about growth. And fruit is through maturity. And to mature one must have endurance. Here the American church fails teaching children to have gifts like serving and giving while they should be focusing on growth. If one is called, they are called to growth, to run this race, thus it is about possessing endurance. The seed is planted, the word of God and the seed of righteousness, deeply rooted in faith and love, the plant grows up bearing fruit through endurance. Fruit of maturity is produced through endurance. This is as James writes the proving produces endurance and the work of endurance produces maturity. Like the athlete disciplining the body, endurance is needed. A new heart is given and the Spirit of God is within, the heart delights inwardly in the laws of God, but we see the need to share in His sufferings, for consecration in truth, to overcome, to conquer the body in which sin dwells and evil which wars against our soul, so to grow up to bear fruit of righteousness.
in purity, in knowledge, in long suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere agape love, in the word of truth, in the power of God, through the weapons of righteousness, on the right and the left.*
Why is maturity, which is bearing fruit of righteousness, so important? Fruit is the outcome of maturity, so the world will not see Jesus in us if we are not mature. If you abide in the Vine you will bear fruit. Gifts are given according to the measure of the grace of Christ, and are given to the mature. How can a child teach when he is not mature himself? And important is this; the Spirit is Life through righteousness. In other words you have to mature to bear fruit of Life. Not that a child of God does not experience the Spirit of life, like through worship, but that we only "experience" it, to fully worship and walk in the Spirit and Truth we must mature and to mature we must endure to overcome and bear fruit. Through bearing fruit, the weapons of righteousness, on the right and the left, we will conquer, overcome. And to be whole and live we must endure to maturity. "By your endurance you will gain your lives."* The trials and tribulations are meant to produce maturity, and maturity is to be like Christ, which is our upward call to holiness and purity in knowledge of the Son. And more, endurance produces proving, now proving produces hope...* So the fruit of maturity is also hope. Surely this is true, when I overcome I possess hope, because I have made sure of my calling, my purpose, my destiny.
so that through endurance and through the encouragement of scriptures we have hope.*
The work of endurance is maturity, the outcome is hope and Life, thus in the trial we count it all joy, and all else loss to know Christ and to fellowship in His sufferings, so to know the power of His resurrection. The idea of encouragement is exhortation, incitement, persuasion and is related to admonishment which is strongly persuading a brother, which is related to bearing his burden, which is the law of Christ, so persuading him in agape love that is long suffering so to turn him to the truth. Godly discipline is that we share in His holy character, and we see in the discipline of God we come to know Him through knowledge of the Son. Understanding, persuasion, and encouragement in scriptures is a very important part, it is how we endure. Godly discipline is an upcoming topic I will write about. Legalism judges and condemns, it is a stumbling block, forfeiting grace which creates a root of bitterness in many who will not endure. But those rooted and grounded in faith and love have a firm foundation to stand upon, having built their house upon the Rock, these will endure and overcome.
whether now distressed for your encouragement and salvation. Whether encouraged for your encouragement, that you are energized in endurance, that same sufferings that we suffer.*
Godly discipline is not primarily chastisement nor punishment nor fear, though God can and will use these for our benefit, which is to share in His holy character. Paul writes our perfection is in love, so the one fearing has not reached maturity. Think about our calling to holiness like as an athlete disciplining the body to win a race. Disciplining the body doesn't feel good, the body doesn't want to get up early to run, it complains, vents about the pain. Here is where the weeds of the devil work to choke out. What does it mean to choke out? In racing terms cause to stumble, to become discouraged, to loose heart, forfeit the race. A weed that chokes is judgement and condemnation which causes the child attempting maturity to stumble. Instead, encouragement energizes the child in endurance, as he is suffering, doubting, encourment helps to persuade so he overcomes becoming mature. There is the idea of giving over to the devil to save a soul but admonishment which includes chastisement is strong encouragement which doesn't cause a child to stumble, but to be persuaded through truth and love.
Rather as servants of God, we stand together in all; in great endurance, in affliction, in hardship, and distress...*
Surely, a mature Church would understand affliction and the need for endurance, thus it would stand together, encouraging, energizing those in affliction and trials so they endure. "Empowered in all power according to his glorious might, that to the extent all endure and long suffer,"* Again we see that to get to resurrection life we must first endure suffering, be conformed to His death, to have fellowship in His sufferings. "Now, the Lord guide your hearts into the love of God and into the endurance of Christ."* Guided into the endurance of Christ is to know Him, and his sufferings so that we know Him and his life. "Now, you man of God, flee these, now, pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance..."*
Putting first the kingdom of God is about putting first righteousness. By no means is the righteousness of God shown through giving or tithing or serving but it is shown in maturity, in bearing fruit of righteousness. Which is to share in His holy character or be formed to the image of Christ or be a Christian, Christ like. This is why we enter our reasonble service, into holiness.
But through this saving mercy, so that in me first Christ Jesus, outward proof of complete long suffering, unto a modeled representation to the one about to believe in Him for eternal life.*
The gift of evangelism is given to the Church, like all other gifts it is given according to grace and given to the mature, because the mature bear fruit, reflecting the image of Christ, a modeled representation to those who are chosen by God for salvation. This verse says two things to me, first the kingdom of God is about becoming like Jesus and becoming like Jesus, reflecting His image is how we best show Christ to others. This reminds me of the story of Gandhi, who was intrigued by the sayings of Jesus, who spent some time with Christians. Then said “I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”* Christianity that Gandhi saw was doing many mighty works in the name of Jesus, claiming they are Christ like but not reflecting his image, his character individually. In other words we go as unprepared vessels (children) doing good works instead of prepared beforehand vessels that by maturity bear fruit of good works. Only a mature plant will bear fruit, the world is not fooled by other kinds of works. Think of the impact these Christians who Gandhi met, could have had on Hinduism with its billion followers, if they had reflected the image of Christ. The Church should not put evangelism above the upward call to be like Christ, before growth.
and esteem the long suffering of our Lord...*
Esteem and consider attentively Him who endured from sinners opposition against Himself so that we do not grow weary in our souls and loose heart.* To those chosen, adopted, these are called to an upward calling, to be formed into the image of Christ, to share in His holy character. The devil plants the weeds so that we might not endure and forfeit this race. The goal of the race is maturity and to mature we must possess endurance, thus possessing endurance we will overcome, not becoming discouraged, loosing heart. We need to have the faith of Abraham, strengthening in faith until completion. To fall back is to give up and to be as the lost, but you child of God are called to an upward calling, it is your destiny to endure. As we endure we receive hope and encouragement in Christ as God is working all things for our good, to us called according to His purpose.
The Son reflects the image of God, so we see this profound mystery that the original intent of creation, man in the image of God, is being restored in us through Christ. While in Spirit we are victorious in Christ, the salvation our souls requires many races to run, so to know Him, to grow up in knowledge of the Son. The proving produces maturity which comes within the trials, not one trial, not one race, but until the Lord comes, thus we count it all joy when the trials, the testing, the proving comes. We must have endurance to finish each race and be long suffering until He comes. We must possess a soul of long suffering, that is steadfast, persevering, and enduring until our race is completed. We are called to participate in the sufferings of Christ, to have fellowship, and we are called to glory. The light affliction we are in is not worthy in comparison to the weight of glory, of becoming like Jesus.