Christ’s Example (Obedience)

Scripture Reading:

• Philippians 2:8-11 - And being found in human form, he (Jesus) humbled himself by becoming

obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and

bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee

should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus

Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• John 15:20 - Remember the word that I (Jesus) said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his

master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also

keep yours.

Thought:

When you watch cadies to professionals in major tournaments, they wear a vest with the name

of the player they are helping. This does not mean they stop being who they are, but they are there in

support of the professional, not themselves. Most people never notice them, but they are vitally

important in helping the professional play to their peak level. The better the professional plays, the more

successful the caddy is.

Jesus, who was the agent of creation (John 1:1-18), was fully obedient to God the Father. There

was nothing He would refuse to endure, even death on a cross. Keep in mind, while on the cross, it was

not only physical torture, but Jesus bore all the sins of the world (including yours and mine). That is how

far Jesus was willing to go in obedience to His Father. God the Father’s response of exalting Jesus shows

that Jesus is the perfect reflection of God the Father’s character and priorities. Our response then should

be obedience through confessing Jesus as Lord, which means giving control of our life over to Him and

trusting that He will take care of us.

Being obedient to Jesus means we may also suffer in this world, like He did. How we react can

reflect Jesus to others, showing God the Father’s character and priorities to those who do not know Him.

It also means we often can be one of the initial sources to non-believers of what is in the Bible. Because

of this, we should be deliberate in spending time in the Bible, to ensure we are the best reflection of God

and His will.

Reflection 1: When I hear the word “obedience”, how does it make me feel? What is the source of those

feelings?

Reflection 2: How am I spending time in the Bible to ensure I am reflecting God’s character and priorities

to those who do not know Him?

Prayer: Lord, thank-you that you did not even spare Your own Son, so we may be in eternal relationship

with You. I pray by that by Your Holy Spirit, I may be obedient to You, and reflect You to others. In Christ’s

name I pray. Amen!

 

Contributed by: Dean Langenhahn | PDGA #208802