Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2:20-25

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7)

Christ came to earth for one reason alone — obedience to the Father. Christ gave up His glory for a human body out of obedience. Christ suffered and bore our sins on the cross out of obedience. Out of love, Christ obeyed the Father to carry out His plan of redemption for His people. He endured “for the joy that was set before him” (Hebrews 12:2). Christ knew of the joy there is in obedience to the Father and the glory and exaltation that will follow for those who humbly obey. 

Christ’s perfect obedience meant enduring scorn, suffering and abasement. The apex is visible on the cross where the author of Life was put to death. This was the Father’s will. Isaiah 53:10 says, “Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him”. 

However, it also means life for us and redemption from sin. The Father’s will is for His chosen people to return to Him from their rebellion in sin. This is the unsearchable love of God that exceeds comprehension. Haggai 2:7 proclaims, “And I [the LORD] will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts.” It was for this reason that Christ obeyed. 

Christianity’s hope lies in the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ and whether the Father accepted his obedience or not. However, we know that on the cross, Jesus shouted, “it is finished”. And, three days after dying on the cross, it was pleasing for the Father that He was raised from the dead. He then ascended into heaven to be seated at the right hand of God. Jesus’ obedience was perfect and wholly accepted by God. Because of that, we can have life in the secure atonement of our sins in Jesus’ blood. 

1 Peter 2:21 says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example, so that you might follow in his steps”. Christ’s perfect obedience is an example of our obedience in the new life that we have that is justified by Christ’s sacrifice. 

Our obedience is our turning away from sin and our turning towards God. If we understand the significance of Christ’s obedience, then we will understand that all this time, we have been living in a sinful, rebellious way against God. Obedience is returning in repentance to God and His ways. 

Christ suffered in obedience in His perfection out of true love for the Father and us. We suffer in obedience a lot of the time because of our sins and our constant desire to return to the world and its ways. Yet, because Christ first loved us, He wants us to learn to love Him back in the way of obedience. 

Just like how Christ endured for the joy set before Him and the crown of glory awaiting Him at the right hand of the Father, we endure until the day we may live with God in glory. The whole Christian life is hope and waiting for the day that we will be perfectly changed from our sinful ways and become whole servants of our Lord. Day by day, live in obedience knowing that one day that is what we will become. Stay faithful on earth, do His will, and await the day He says, “well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). 

Lord, thank You for Your perfect obedience on the cross. As I learn about Your obedience, show me the depths of my sin and the glory of Your grace in Your death. Also, please help me to obey You and return to You in this earthly life. Keep me faithful and hold me as I journey on this pilgrim walk towards Zion, where I will be perfected in glory as a perfect and holy servant of You. Thank You, God, for the hope there is in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Hans Sangtoki (18) is the coordinator of RE Generation Z. He has a passion for serving his generation and sharing hope in Christ. He also has an interest in classical music and dreams of conducting an orchestra one day.

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