Jesus’ Obedience to God and Humanity [Podcast]

Obedience: compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another’s authority.

Jesus’s first known obedience was to God, His Father, His covenant vow to die for humanity. How was this an act of obedience? Because God, the Father, chose the sacrifice [poverty, suffering, and crucifixion] required to redeem us from sin. 

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Peter 1:19)

Did Jesus love God, His Father? A resounding yes should undoubtedly be the answer of all Christian believers. Who would be obedient unto death by crucifixion without overwhelming love? Did God love His Son, Jesus? Yes, He honored Jesus’ commitment to redeem humanity. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). 

Although the word sacrifice has different meanings, the one applicable to Jesus dying for us is an act of slaughtering an animal or person or surrendering a possession as an offering to God. Jesus loved God, but He also loved the human beings He created in His image. It is distressing to know that Jesus’ sacrifice is not appreciated by the very ones He died for, as evidenced by our consistent acts of disobedience. Truly, obedience is the fruit of relentless love for God.

Before the creation of Adam and Eve, God was fully aware they would disobey and sin. Because God is Omniscient [All-Knowing], Jesus’ offer to die for us was not an after-thought. Jesus willingly obeyed His Father’s only option for our salvation. Our Creator relinquished His position in Heaven [to temporarily] give up His divinity and become human to suffer and be crucified that we may have salvation.

Jesus’ Obedience on Earth included submission to God, His Parents, and Governmental Laws

Jesus’ Obedience to God, His Father

“But I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.” (John 14:31).

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8). Throughout, His short life on earth, Jesus obeyed and glorified God. Jesus is our example in praying without ceasing.

Jesus’ Obedience to the Government

“But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, ‘Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.’ So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, ‘Whose image and inscription is this?’ They said to Him, ‘Caesar’s.’ And He said to them, ‘Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.” (Matthew 22:18-22)

Jesus’ [documented] Obedience to His Mother

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52)

We have the knowledge that Jesus honored and obeyed His parents. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)

Yet, twice we have scriptural evidence that Jesus honored and obeyed Mary, His Mother.

“When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.’ ‘Why were you searching for me?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:49-51 NIV)

“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’ ‘Woman, [a] why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.'” (John 2:1-5 NIV). Footnote: [a] John 2:4 The Greek for Woman does not denote any disrespect.

Jesus’ Prayer of Obedient Submission to God

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus knew that He would have to suffer a horrific crucifixion. He prayed to God, His Father, “And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if it is your will, take this cup away from me, nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.'” (Luke 22:41-42). Jesus demonstrated the highest level of Obedience to God. And it was for us!

Jesus Prays for Himself Before His Arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane

“He said to his Father, ‘I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given me to do and now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with you before the world was. (John 17:4-5)

Although Jesus prayed the “Prayer for Himself” before His “Prayer of Submission,” it is intentionally placed in the closing paragraph for emphasis. We have the Ultimate testimonial reflecting Agape Love, and Faithful Obedience from Jesus the Son to God, His Father. Amen.

Testimonial: I have written many devotionals. Even so, this morning, I wept [for a while and prayed a prayer of forgiveness] because I fully understand the life of poverty and suffering a terrible death that Jesus endured was for me. The least that I can do is to have a heart of love and the desire to obey the one who said, “Yes, Father, I will die for them.” I pray that we love our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for His unmatched love and sacrificial offering–being obedient even unto death.

Prayer: Jesus, we thank You for Your obedience and sacrifice. We ask for forgiveness for the many times that we forget the suffering. You went through to redeem us from sin. Thank You for giving us a choice to receive a heavenly inheritance. It is in Your Worthy name that we pray. Amen.