There is a lot about God we just don’t understand. Like how He has always existed. No beginning. No end. Just always. Or like how He knows every thought of our hearts and the number of hairs on our heads. Nothing hid. He knows it all. Or like how He is Creator and Sustainer of all that is or ever will be. No one can trump Him. Nothing can stump Him and nothing can undo what He has done. He is all powerful.
Yet, in Philippians 2:5-8 we are told – “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Emphasis mine)
Can you fathom that?! The God of all creation demonstrated what obedience looks like when He placed Himself in a cradle to begin His journey to the cross.
As Kathy mentioned Monday, we know Jesus came to die. But He left footprints of obedience every step of the way – footprints of obedience left by a heart of humility.
We all have to die. It’s just part of life. But Jesus didn’t have to. He didn’t have to come to a cradle. He didn’t have to clothe Himself with flesh. He didn’t have to tolerate those who persecuted Him. He didn’t have to endure the pain of the crown of thorns, the whips or the nails. He didn’t have to hang naked from a cross in agony as the soldiers mocked Him and those He was dying for gazed on Him with disgust.
Aren’t you thankful Jesus came to obey the Father! As we approach this Christmas season let us not forget to importance of Jesus’ obedience.
Stephanie, it is humbling and challenging for me to think about the truth that Jesus spent His entire life submitting Himself in obedience to the Father. Yet, I often dare to hold my will over God’s. Praying today that I will follow Jesus’ example and humbly submit myself to the Father.
Kathy ~ You’re SO right! How often we want our will more than we want to submit to His, yet His will is always perfect. Praying the same prayer for myself and my family…that we would follow Jesus’ example of humility and obedience to the Father!
Love this Stephanie! I don’t think people realize just how much Jesus gave up for us. Thanks for writing and sharing, I always learn so much from you! Glad God placed you in my life.
Hi Melody! Thanks for popping over to Scripture Dig and digging in the Word with us! You’re So right! I think if we just take the time to truly consider Christ and all He has done, it would change us and we would be ever-so-thankful!
Blessings to you, sweet friend!
Jesus’ obedience emphasizes how important obedience is. Sometimes I struggle with taking a step in obedient faith when God nudges because what He’s asking doesn’t make sense to me. Or it’s uncomfortable. But those times where I take the step and plunge in is where God shows His glory brightest. Sweet!
Hi Donna! I love that… “Jesus’ obedience emphasizes how important obedience is.” How true that is! Your comment spoke to me in more ways than one. Thanks for digging with us and sharing your heart!
Jesus’ obedience sets the example for my obedience. If He could be obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross, I can be obedient in the small challenges of daily life and relationships.
Julie ~ I love how small our obedience seems in light of what His obedience cost Him. Thank you so much for your wisdom and insight! May we be obedient children of the Most High God!
Jesus came to obey the Father.
Amen.
Poem – What is love?
Two men came to Jesus
With different motivations.
They asked Him the same question
Relevant to all the nations:
Which is the Most Important?
The answer was the same.
Jesus did not manipulate
He was not there to play a game.
“Love the Lord your God” said Jesus
as He quoted from The Law –
to fulfill and not abolish
was His purpose, full of awe.
Jesus did not make all Scripture
Into one new great commandment.
He summarized The Law and Prophets
“First and Greatest” and “The Second.”
The Love of God is higher
Than the love of any man.
Receive from God, give back to God-
Then to others, that’s His plan.
The Love of God involves much more
Than simply “love your fellow man.”
Worship, trust, and pray to God,
and obey Him – that’s His plan
To worship and pray to neighbors,
Whoever they may be,
Or trust and obey our enemies
Would be idolatry.
The love of God is first and greatest,
And the love of man is second.
“All we need is love” are words
of dead Beetles on the pavement.
“The entire law is summed up in a single command”
are not the words of Jesus our Salvation.
It’s false teaching of Paul the Pharisee
an “accuser of our brethren.”
“Love” without God is Satan’s word through Paul
in his chapter to the Corinthians.
“I will show you the most excellent way”
is the road to eternal perdition.
Where is God in Paul’s chapter on love?
Nowhere in view of the eye.
Paul sings about himself like a Mexican Mariachi
“I, I, I, I.”
Jesus is The Most Excellent Way
Not the words of a Pharisee.
The words of Jesus are very clear.
Jesus said, “You must follow ME.”