How can we emulate Jesus' obedience to the Father in our lives? Setting the Scene: Jesus’ Words in John 8:28 “So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me.’” (John 8:28) Key Observations from the Verse • Jesus anticipates His crucifixion (“lifted up”), showing obedience even unto death. • He does “nothing on [His] own,” modeling total dependence on the Father. • His words mirror the Father’s teaching, revealing submission in both action and speech. Principles of Obedience We Can Emulate • Dependence, not independence – John 5:19: “The Son can do nothing by Himself.” • Listening before speaking – Isaiah 50:4–5: the Servant “awakens morning by morning” to hear. • Aligning will with God’s will – John 6:38: “I have come… not to do My own will but the will of Him who sent Me.” • Obedience through suffering – Hebrews 5:8–9: He “learned obedience from what He suffered.” • Purpose-driven submission – John 12:50: “His command leads to eternal life.” Practical Steps for Daily Life 1. Begin each day with surrender: “Father, what do You want today?” 2. Read Scripture systematically, listening for God’s specific instruction. 3. Pray through plans and decisions before acting; ask, “Is this from You?” 4. Obey promptly in the small, ordinary tasks—faithfulness here trains the heart for larger assignments. 5. Embrace inconveniences and trials as opportunities to mirror Christ’s sacrificial obedience. 6. Keep short accounts: confess sin quickly and realign with God’s revealed will. 7. Walk in community; invite trusted believers to speak truth when you drift. 8. End each day reviewing where you followed and where you resisted, thanking God for grace and growth. Supporting Scriptures That Deepen the Picture • John 14:31 — Jesus acts “so that the world may know that I love the Father.” • Philippians 2:5-8 — “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death.” • Luke 22:42 — “Not My will, but Yours, be done.” • 1 John 2:6 — “Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.” • James 1:22 — “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” Living It Out Together When we consciously depend on the Father, shape our words by His Word, and accept even hard paths for His glory, our lives echo the obedience of Jesus in John 8:28. Day by day, choice by choice, we showcase a surrendered life that points the watching world to the Father who sent the Son. |
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