CHRISTIANITY: Imitating the patience of Christ

Let’s think about an uncompromising quality that can change us: the patience of Jesus Christ. In our fast-paced world, we often forget about patience, but it’s a crucial part of the Christian faith. We see it clearly in how Jesus lived and taught. Jesus’ Patience with His Disciples. One of the best examples of Jesus’ patience is how He dealt with His disciples.

Even though they often misunderstood and made mistakes, Jesus always taught them kindly and with mercy. For instance, in the Gospel of Mark, after explaining the parable of the Sower, Jesus asked His disciples, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?” (Mark 4:13). This shows Jesus’ patience as He calmly helped them towards deeper understanding instead of getting frustrated. Jesus’ Patience in Suffering. Jesus showed his most extraordinary patience during His Passion. As the prophet Isaiah said, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not speak out; like a lamb led to the slaughter, and like a sheep silent before its shearers, He did not open His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). This Bible verse shows the serene patience of Christ amidst profound suffering—a patience born of complete trust in the Father’s will. Jesus’ Patience with Sinners. Jesus’ ministry often focused on patiently reaching out to sinners and outcasts. A notable example is when He met a woman accused of adultery. As people wanted to punish her, Jesus challenged them by saying, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). When her accusers left, Jesus turned to her with compassion and patience, instructing her, “Go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11), offering her a chance to change her life.

A simple morning prayer could be: “Lord, grant me the patience to handle whatever comes my way today with the same compassion and calmness that Jesus showed.”
May we be slow to anger, rich in kindness, and strong in faith, following our Saviour who transforms us into his likeness.