Mar 24, 2016 Words of Grace – His Obedience
Thursday – His Obedience
“
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point
of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8
Jesus prayed to God the Father and said that he had accomplished the work given him to do (John 17:4). What was that work? “Jesus went out, bearing his own cross to the place called Golgotha. There they crucified him” (John 19:17). This was his work.
When Jesus was washing the disciples’ feet, they did not understand that he was giving them a sign of the soul cleansing he would provide through his death. He knew it, though. He told them they would come to understand the cleansing nature of death in due time (John 13:6-8).
The Son of God knew the cross was his destination from the time he decided to lay aside the glory of heaven, become a man, and assume the role of a servant. Everything he thought and did was unto the cross. And since the cross was the work the Father gave him to do, everything he thought and did was in obedience. In the cross we see the obedience unto death that is unique to Jesus. He alone was fully obedient. He alone could die for the forgiveness of sins.
On this day before Good Friday, think on the obedience of Jesus in his death on the cross. The sense we get from being confronted by the cross of Christ is one of a pricked conscience. His cross was in our place and for our sin. Away with a lighthearted attitude about our rebellion against a holy God! Christ’s death was the only death sufficient to pay for such an offense because he is the only one who perfectly obeyed God and didn’t need someone to pay for his sin.
Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers. 1
The sense we get from embracing the cross of Christ is one of a peaceful conscience. Our sins are covered, removed and cast away because Jesus bore the wrath of God against them. Through repentance and faith our sins are never to be counted against us. Away with the dark cloud of condemnation that threatens to undo us!
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! 2
Read Philippians 2:8 and John 13:6-8. What observations and applications do you draw from the obedience of Jesus?
– Scott
1 “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” written by Stuart Townend, ©1995 Thankyou Music.
2 “It Is Well With My Soul” written by Philip P. Bliss & Horatio G. Spafford (1873), Public Domain.