January 16 - Look at Jesus’ Obedience

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation….Hebrews 5:8-9

 

The characteristic that we are focusing on here is obedience. Jesus was supremely obedient. He came to earth, knowing what was ahead of Him. The human struggles of being a baby, growing up, facing opposition with the Pharisees, then ultimately dying on the cross. Just like it says in Philippians 2:8, Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. All because His Father said, “Go.” He came down here from Heaven and lived an obedient life. Can we ever hope to be as obedient as Jesus?

 

As obedient children (adopted children of God), do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance….1 Peter 1:14. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we become adopted children of God. See John 1:12. We can begin in small ways by honoring God the Father with our respect to Him and controlling our thoughts and actions to be pleasing to Him. Give up our lusts? Yes, that would be pleasing to Him. Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount that to think something sinful is the same as to do it—so we need to keep the commandments in thought, word and deed. Some may argue that Jesus came to replace the law, but He did tell us several times that if we love Him, we’ll keep His commandments.

 

Training Tip – Play “Red Light-Green Light” or “Mother, May I?” with your children to teach them about obeying the rules. When rules aren’t obeyed you get sent back to the starting line. Later on at bedtime get out the Baby Jesus from your nativity set—or look at a picture of Him in a Christmas book, showing Him in the manger. Contrast that with the cross. Simply tell them that Jesus obeyed the rules of His Father. Because Jesus obeyed, we have forgiveness for our sins, the mistakes we make. One day we’ll all live together with Jesus in Heaven, but only because Jesus obeyed and now we obey. Tell them that you try to obey Jesus rules, too.

 

Lord – Thank you for Your obedience. Help us to obey those in authority over us and especially to obey You and our Heavenly Father.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.