Jesus the Obedient

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)

Just as time has warped our vision of Jesus the Servant through glossy art and camp imagery, we have abused our image of Jesus’ obedience through death on the cross. By its pop cultural presence the cross has been bled of its horror. Can we truly carry the torture of our Savior gilded around our necks? Would we immortalize the horrors of Rwanda with crushed skulls on our jewelry? By diminishing the terror of the cross we loss the gravity of Christ's devotion to the Father. Jesus’ devotion led to His submission to the murderous hands of humanity. Jesus’ obedience led to His crucifixion on the cross.

In Jesus' obedience we find His servanthood. In Jesus' obedience we find His humility. It is impossible for us to truly identify with Jesus if do not seek to understand His obedience. And most painfully as followers of Jesus if we do not seek to serve Him with the same humble, servant-like obedience we will never be able to express Him rightly to the nations. And this is key because Jesus is seeking out the nations, He is reaching out through His people to the unreached men, women and children who have not seen the tragic glory of the cross.

Jesus the obedient calls us to embrace His mission and that mission can take us to the point of death, even death on a cross. He is calling us to reach out obediently with humble hearts and servant hands to the nations, the unreached peoples, the lost and dying.

Jesus, help me obey Your call with humility and passion to serve. Let me shout Your glory with an unflinching witness and back bent in service to the nations.