Follow the Leader 效法基督
Dexu Xia
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
No words. Just music and moving. During a twenty-four-hour Zumba marathon amid the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people from around the globe worked out together and virtually followed instructors from India, China, Mexico, America, South Africa, parts of Europe, and several other places. These diverse individuals were able to move together without any language barriers. Why? Because instructors of the exercise craze Zumba, created in the mid-1990s by a Colombian aerobics instructor, utilize nonverbal cues to communicate. Class instructors move, and students follow their lead. They follow with no words uttered or shouted.
Words can sometimes get in the way and create barriers. They may cause confusion such as the Corinthians experienced, as noted in Paul’s first letter to them. It was confusion brought about by differing views of disputable matters pertaining to the eating of particular foods (1 Corinthians 10:27–30). But our actions can transcend barriers and even confusion. As Paul says in today’s passage, we should show people how to follow Jesus through our actions—seeking “the good of many” (10:32–33). We invite the world to believe in Him as we “follow the example of Christ” (11:1).
As someone once said, “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words when necessary.” As we follow Jesus’ lead, may He guide our actions to cue others to the reality of our faith. And may our words and actions be done “all for the glory of God” (10:31).
What nonverbal faith cues are you showing others through your actions? How are people able to see Christ in your words and actions?
Father God, thank You for the example of Jesus. Show me how to follow Him in actions and in words every day.
你们该效法我，像我效法基督一样。—哥林多前书11章1节
没有言语，只有音乐和动作，这是在新冠疫情期间举行的24小时尊巴舞马拉松。世界各地有数千人一同在网上跟随着来自印度、中国、墨西哥、美国、南非、欧洲及其他地方的教练跳舞。这些来自不同地方的人不受语言限制而能步伐一致地舞动，这是为什么呢？尊巴舞是1990年代中期，由一位哥伦比亚的健美操教练所创建的，而这些热爱尊巴舞的教练运用了非语言提示来与学员进行交流。教练如何舞动，学员便如何跟随，整场舞蹈无需任何言语或喊口令。
言语有时可能会造成障碍，甚至还会造成混乱，就像保罗在哥林多前书提到哥林多教会的情况，他们对于能否吃某些食物的议题上有争议，因而带来混乱（10章27-30节）。但是我们的行为可以超越障碍，甚至平息混乱。正如保罗在今天的经文中所说的，我们应该藉着自己的行为向世人展现如何效法耶稣──只寻求“众人的益处”（32-33节）。当我们“效法基督”（11章1节）时，我们就是邀请世人来相信祂。
正如有人曾经说过﹕“任何时候都要传福音，必要时才使用言语。”当我们跟随耶稣的带领时，愿祂引导我们所做的一切，让他人能看到我们真实的信仰，并愿我们的言行举止都为“荣耀上帝而行”（10章31节）。
你的行为能让他人注意到你的信仰吗？
人们要如何透过你的言语和行为看见基督？
亲爱的天父，
感谢祢让耶稣成为我们的榜样，
求祢教导我如何每天在言行举止上效法祂。