Jesus indicated that those who follow Him will become like Him (Matt. 10:25). What does it mean to "be like Jesus" in today's complex world? Matthew paints eight portraits of what Christ-likeness looks like, including:
#3: To Be Like Jesus Means...
TO COMMIT OURSELVES TO OTHER BELIEVERS (Matt. 3:1-17)
John the Baptist was not your average individual. He was an unexpected child. He lived in the wilderness--the "other side of the tracks" for that day. He wore strange clothing and ate strange food. He was pugnacious, even offensive at times. Yet he helped launch Jesus' career. In return, Jesus had nothing but praise for him (Matt. 11:7-15). If we want to be like Jesus, we must not pick and choose our brothers and sisters in God's family. We need to embrace other believers and demonstrate our unity in Christ, no matter how awkward or inconvenient.
(from the Word in Life Study Bible from Thomas Nelson Publishers)