Sunday, 13 November 2022
A LESSON IN OBEDIENCE
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8).
In Luke 3:38, when you study the genealogy of Adam, he was called the son of God. So, if the first Adam was the son of God and the second Adam, Jesus Christ, is the Son of God, what’s the difference between the two sons of God?
The answer is in the parable that Jesus gave in Matthew 21:28-31 of two sons: Their father told the sons to go work in his vineyard. The first son assured his father that he’d go, but he didn’t; he disobeyed. The second son told his father he wouldn’t go, but he went. Jesus then asked, “Which of the two sons obeyed his father?”
Clearly, the obedient one is the one who actually did his father’s will, though initially refusing to do so. Now, in the Garden of Gethsemane, in the final moments before Jesus was arrested to be crucified, He prayed earnestly “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).
Jesus didn’t want to do it, but He did anyway! So, our theme verse says of Jesus, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Jesus’ exaltation came because He was obedient unto death. But the failure of the first Adam was his disobedience.
The Bible says, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). Had the first Adam obeyed, the second Adam wouldn’t have been necessary. So, the difference between the first Adam and the second Adam was obedience.
Obedience is very important; it pays to listen to God and follow His ways. Being born again, we’re born in the nature of the second Adam, Jesus Christ, and we have His obedient Spirit. Hence, in 1 Peter 1:14, we’re called His obedient children. Walk therefore in this nature of Christ in you and please the Father always.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank you for the privilege of receiving spiritual instructions, which convey your wisdom. Continually, your Spirit guides me to apply my heart to spiritual instructions — doing things your way, which is the surest measure for guaranteed progress in life. As I demonstrate obedience to your Word, I walk in success, victory, excellence and glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
1 Samuel 15:22; 1 Peter 1:14; Proverbs 8:10
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Hebrews 11:1-16 & Ezekiel 5-7
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 John 1:1-10 & Ezekiel 44