The invitation to imitate the desire of Jesus may seem…
““The invitation to imitate the desire of Jesus may seem paradoxical, for Jesus does not claim to possess a desire proper, a desire "of his very own." Contrary to what we ourselves claim, he does not claim to "be himself"; he does not flatter himself that he obeys only his own desire. His goal is to become the perfect image of God. There-fore he commits all his powers to imitating his Father. In inviting us to imitate him, he invites us to imitate his own imitation.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Jesus models imitation of God’s desire, showing that true desire is not self‑generated but a faithful reflection of divine will.
In simple terms: Jesus shows desire comes from reflecting God, not self.
Key Takeaway
Seek to align your aims with higher purpose.
Themes
faith
imitation
desire
divine will
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
theological
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal spiritual practice
- leadership decisions
- ethical education
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
mimetic theory
theology
self‑transcendence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you tell if a desire is truly divine?
- What practices help you reflect higher purpose?
A Different Perspective
It may be hard to discern divine desire from personal ambition.