Suffering Can Teach A Lot About Obedience

What is the extraordinary? It is the love of Jesus Christ Himself, love that goes to the cross in suffering obedience. 

– Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Washing the dishes was my hatest chore growing up. I preferred doing manual laundry to being caught washing the dishes. My siblings were no good as well. And as the youngest sibling, all the chores that they do not like doing i.e. washing dishes, land on me. I remember crying every time I do it. Further, I felt I was suffering (such a drama kid back then). But I still did the task because I know, in the end, I still have to obey. 

Bible Reading

Today’s devotional reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews 5:8. Please, read our recent devotional from the Book of Genesis 41:2: Abundance In All Things In Our Lord, Jesus Christ

Obedience despite suffering 

The perfect example of obedience is Jesus Christ. His obedience to the Father has saved all people from the grips of death and hell. Moreover, we learn that despite the suffering He had to endure, He remained obedient to the will of God. Paul wrote, and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8).

The verse does not imply that Jesus has to learn obedience, He perfectly knows what it is. John MacArthur comments on it by writing, He learned obedience for the same reason He bore temptation: to confirm His humanity and experience sufferings to the fullest. Jesus Christ’s obedience is necessary so that he could fulfill all righteousness. And that His righteousness is imputed to sinners (The MacArthur Study Bible).

Follow Jesus’ obedience

There are times in our lives that it is hard to obey, especially when we are suffering. But let us be guided by the obedience of Jesus, to serve our purpose for the Father’s will. The Holy Spirit that was with Jesus in His obedience, is the same Holy Spirit who guided men of God and is guiding us to this day.

Ask the Holy Spirit to dwell in your hearts. To stir your hearts for repentance (Accept Jesus Now) and obedience to the will of the Father. And study God’s words to guide you through any sufferings you might face.

Reflection

This is the time for your journaling. Reflect on these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to test your faith and your walk with Christ.

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? — 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV.
  1. What was your recent suffering or hardship?
  2. How did you overcome it?
  3. What made you push forward in that difficult situation.
  4. Where was Jesus in your life at that point?
  5. How do you share Jesus with others who are suffering?
  6. Read more about Suffering and Obedience.

Prayer

Father God, Thou art the only true God and Thou art the only God, men have ever been taught about, Who condescends to love His people as a father. Help us, O God, to be obedient children, but help us also to cast out of our hearts and minds all things that might hinder us in a whole and holy love for Thee. As Thou didst love the world, help us to love. As Thou didst give Thyself for us, help us to give ourselves for Thee.

For Christ’s sake, Amen.

(from Knowing-Jesus.com)

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