His Obedience for Us

I have been reading here and there on the subject of Jesus obedience for us.  There is no doubt that Jesus is an enigma to my heart and to the culture in which I live -- or any culture.

A number of years ago we decided not to ask people if they were interested in the Bible, but to ask if they were interested in learning more about Jesus.  In the times we have tried this direction, we find most people are interested in Jesus, for whatever reasons.  They think he is wonderful.

But he is wonderful in a way that makes so sense.  NOTHING we think of as important or crucial to being a good person is present in his life.  He never sought to discover himself, be himself, nurture himself, or love himself.  He never made himself #1.  He served. He utterly submitted his will and his life to his glorious Father. He took no thought of Himself.  He was, in the midst of this, joyous and free and truly loved people.  And he never read "Happy Living for Dummies."

I came across a quote in the midst of G C Berkouwer's systematics volume on  The Work of Christ.  He said concerning Jesus, "His whole life was the ultimate opposite of autonomy." This is shocking.  Nothing could be farther from what we moderns think is important.  We value autonomy.  We want to make up our own life style, our own ethics, our own world.  We think that being self-ruled is what is necessary to being authentic.

Jesus was utterly self-submitted.  He came not to do his own will, but the will of him who sent him. Jesus was also more "authentic" than anyone else. 

He cuts against my culture's value of being liberated.  He also cuts against cultures of the world which value conformity and fitting in.  Both cultures are rooted in human pride -- the pride of my heart. He was not trying to fit in.  He lived to please God, not men.  He was not a rebel.  He honored his mother and father, and the people in authority in his life -- but if he had to chose between their traditions and God -- he obeyed God.  And he did so without "making a point."

What I see in Jesus perfect life is:

1. how deeply I need a Savior.  My life is so corrupted by sin that I do not even know or want what is for my good.  I cannot change myself or rid myself of my twisted heart.
2. He lived sinlessly for me, in my place, to redeem me from sin.
3. how glorious it will be when we who are in Christ will come into the fullness of our salvation, free from sin, and once again "crowned with glory and honor" (see Hebrews 2:5-18 on this).  We shall know the sheer joy of living gladly beneath the favor and pleasure of God.