Obedience

As believers we have been given an example in how we should live through Jesus Christ. Yesterday, when reading this verse in Philippians, I realized that we were also given an example in how we should die. This is not a physical death of the body for us, but for Jesus it was. Scripture tells us in Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, Jesus humbled himself, “by becoming obedient to death-- even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8).

We are called to be obedient. Our obedience is not to death, but instead to Life itself, in Jesus our King and God our Father. Obedience for us is following the example that Jesus set for us.

Jesus listened to the Father. To listen to the Father, we must spend time with Him. Jesus was so obedient to take time away from everything else to get alone with God to talk, listen, and simply be with Him. We are called to do the same thing.

Jesus loved. He loved us to the extent that He gave everything to prove His love for us. We are told to love one another as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31). I cannot imagine thinking of another person as often as I think of myself. Honestly. Jesus loved others and we are called to do the same thing.

Jesus was obedient to death. He died on a cross to give us direct access to the Father, through the Spirit. We are called to the same obedience. While Jesus’ death was physical, ours is a daily choice to let our sinful nature die. Jesus told us “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The denial of self is actively choosing Jesus and others above our own personal desires. John’s account of Jesus’ time on earth documents this passage:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24).

I believe that when we are obedient to death of ourselves, we bear much fruit. Jesus was obedient to death and we are called to do the same thing.