Jesus Would Obey God in ALL Things

JESUS WOULD OBEY GOD IN ALL THINGS
by Bill Blue

The impact of culture upon a Christian cannot be overstated. Modern America is a contradiction, a religious nation with a Humanistic culture. Christian Americans strive to live by the Bible, which contains admonitions to strongly oppose sin, while living in a nation whose culture says nothing is wrong so long as it does not hurt someone else. This tension causes the evolution of faiths which permit “Christians” to pick and choose those portions of the Scriptures that they will live by. What would Jesus do?

Jesus would not pick and choose which Scriptures He would obey. As we have read already, Jesus would study the Bible (Luke 2:41-50; WWJD no. 3), which He knew to contain “all truth,” (John 16:13), and give Bible answers to spiritual questions (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10; Matt. 19:4; WWJD no. 2).

Jesus began His ministry by obeying God’s will to be baptized. He did not question the purpose or necessity of baptism. When John protested that his own righteousness was inferior to Christ’s, Jesus said, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness," and then He was baptized (Matt. 3:13-15).

Jesus obeyed God in the face of temptation. Following His baptism and fasting for 40 days, Satan tempted Jesus with food (Matt. 4:3), pride (Matt. 4:6), and power (Matt. 4:8-9). Jesus chose to obey God and resist Satan’s temptations by relying upon God’s word (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10; Heb. 2:17-18; Heb. 4:15). We, too, are capable of resisting temptation. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13).

Although Christ’s death ended the Law of Moses, He obeyed the Law during His life. “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:17-19)

Jesus obeyed God even when obedience caused Him great agony. The night before Christ was crucified He became “sorrowful and deeply distressed,” knowing what fate awaited Him (Matt. 26:37; see also Mark 14:33-34; Luke 22:44). He then prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will’…. Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.’ So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.” (Matt. 26:39, 42, 44; see also Mark 14:35, 36, 39; Luke 22:42, 44).

Christ was obedient to the point of death (Phil. 2:5-8). Christ did not want to die. He was tempted, sorrowful and deeply distressed (Heb. 4:15; Matt. 26:37; Mark 14:33-34; Luke 22:44). He prayed three times to God for another way (Matt. 26:39, 42, 44; see also Mark 14:35, 26, 29; Luke 22:42). Nonetheless, through it all, He put God’s will ahead of His own, and obeyed God by dying for a world of sinners, though Jesus Himself was sinless (Rom. 5:6-9; Phil. 2:5-8).

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, ‘I thirst!’ 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put [it] on hyssop, and put [it] to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit” (John 19:28-30).

In Revelation 2:10, Jesus admonishes Christians to, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Considering His example of complete obedience, how should we act when confronted with Scripture that requires us to do something we may not like? Jesus obeyed God when He was in agony. Will we ignore His command to be baptized (Mark 16:16; Matt. 28:19)? Jesus obeyed God when it meant He must die a tortuous death. Will we now refuse His commandments regarding marriage, divorce and remarriage (Matt. 5:31-32; Matt. 19:3-10), or will we, like Him, obey God in all things?

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Jesus Would Humble Himself

Jesus Would Humble Himself
By Jonathan Baker

Jesus, during his ministry, taught us many things about humbling ourselves. When the disciples asked Jesus, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” … [Jesus replied], “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1-4). While Jesus and his disciples were at supper, Jesus “got up, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded” (John 13:4-5). Afterwards, Jesus asked, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:12-14). By washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus taught the disciples to humble themselves. “For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, Truly, I say unto you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:15-16).

Jesus humbled Himself on numerous occasions so that others would believe He is Savior. In John 4, while Jesus was traveling through Samaria, He came to a well where there was a Samaritan woman drawing water. During this time period, the “Jews [had] no dealings with Samaritans.” Jesus, however, did not view her as lower than Himself, so He went to her, and said, “Give Me a drink”(John 4:7, 9). Astonished, the woman replied, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman” (John 4:9)? Jesus talked with her a little longer until in verse 19 she said, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.” Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman eventually led to an opportunity to speak to other Samaritans who came to believe, “that this One is indeed the Savior of the world”(John 4:40-42). Many believed that Jesus is the Christ as a result of Him being humble enough to resist Jewish prejudice against Samaritans.

Sometimes pride will prevent people from speaking to another that the world looks down on. This will even prevent us from speaking to others about salvation, but as in the case of the Samaritan woman in John 4, Jesus never allowed pride, nor prejudice to prevent Him from speaking to someone about the kingdom of heaven. On another such occasion Jesus refused to succumb to Jewish prejudice against tax collectors. “And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through the way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house’” (Luke 19:2-5). “When [the people of Jericho] saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner” (Luke 19:7). Despite the criticism of the people, Jesus still went with Zacchaeus and said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9). Jesus humbled himself so that others would come to believe and also have the hope of salvation.

Jesus’ greatest example of humility is His death on the cross for us. On the night before his death, Jesus went off, “And being in agony, He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground” (Luke 22:44). Jesus knew what he had to do and dreaded its coming, but despite all the dread, he prayed to God, “yet not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus humbled himself greatly before God for our salvation.

Remember Jesus’ examples of humility, and humble yourself. Jesus said, “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). ”If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:17).

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Jesus Would Pray

JESUS WOULD PRAY
By Bill Blue

Most Americans regardless of faith would probably agree that people, even faithful Christians, do not pray enough. It comes as no surprise that unfaithful believers do not pray often enough, but why not faithful Christians? Perhaps the reasons why some Christians have poor prayer habits include material wealth and success, the influence of an ungodly culture, worldly values, and the lack of belief that God answers prayers. Perhaps tragedies and injustices in our daily lives convince some that God doesn’t care for our present needs. In the United States political-correctness has successfully banned God from schools and the workplace; God is out of sight and out of mind until the next worship service and as a result, godly people are out of practice, and have simply forgotten the importance of prayer. What would Jesus do? Jesus would pray.

Jesus had a habit of praying (Luke 5:16). We should have the same habit (1 Thess. 5:17).

Jesus would pray at any time of the day or night (Luke 6:12). Prayer was a priority for Christ. Jesus would even on occasion rise long before daylight to pray (Mark 1:35). In other words, Jesus planned for opportunities to pray.

Jesus would pray anywhere. Jesus prayed in the wilderness (Luke 5:16), on mountains (Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12, Luke 9:28), and at Gethsemane (Mark 14:32). In other words, Jesus took advantage of His opportunities to pray.

Jesus prayed long prayers (Luke 6:12) and short prayers (Luke 11:1-3). Our prayers to God have no required length as long as our prayer is humble and sincere (Matthew 6:5-7, Matthew 23:14, Mark 12:40, Luke 18:10-14, Luke 20:46-47). Regardless of length, Jesus prayed earnestly, knowing that the Creator of all things was listening (Luke 22:44).

Jesus would pray at many different occasions. Jesus prayed when He was baptized and began His ministry (Luke 3:21), before He selected twelve disciples to be His Apostles (Luke 6:12-13), at His transfiguration (Luke 9:28-32), before instituting the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26) and at His moments of greatest need (John 17:1; Luke 22:44).

Jesus would pray privately, in small groups and publicly. At times, Jesus sought opportunities to pray alone to God (Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, Luke 9:18, Luke 22:41). At times, He even asked the disciples to stay behind, or sent them away, so He could pray alone (Matthew 26:36; Mark 6:46). On other occasions, He took disciples with Him to pray (Luke 9:28).

Jesus prayed for many different people:
• Himself (John 17:1);
• The Apostles (John 14:16, John 17:6-15);
• All believers (John 17:20);
• His enemies (Luke 6:28); and
• The entire world (Matthew 5:44).

Jesus prayed for many different things, such as:
• God’s work (Matthew 9:38, Luke 10:2) and God’s will be done (Matthew 26:39, 42);
• Children be blessed (Matthew 19:13);
• Believers be strengthened and be able to strengthen others (Luke 22:32);

Jesus tells us how to pray. “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name [in other words, honor God and acknowledge His authority] Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven [we accept God’s will] Give us our daily bread [help us with our necessities of life – not material excess] And forgive us our sins [help us with our truly important problems, like avoiding hell] For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us [we acknowledge God’s word on mercy and forgiveness (Matt. 6:14-15; Mark 11:25), thus we conform to His will] And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one [again we focus on our true needs, spiritual in nature]” (Luke 11:1-4; Luke 22:40).

Jesus would pray for the right reasons. Jesus would not forget that God is a prayer’s target audience, not others listening to His prayer. Jesus would pray to enlist God’s help, not men’s attention (Matthew 6:5-7, Matthew 23:14, Mark 12:40, Luke 20:47).

Jesus tells us the benefits of prayer. Prayer strengthens our faith (Luke 18:1), and helps keep us from sin (Matthew 26:41, Mark 13:33, Mark 14:38, Luke 22:46).

Jesus would pray with faith, not doubting whether God would answer His prayer (Matthew 21:22, Matthew 26:53, Mark 11:24, Luke 18:1).

Jesus understood that some things happen only through prayer. In Mark 9:29, Jesus said to His disciples that, “This kind [of demon] can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” We do not have demon possession today, but the point is still valid. When Jesus Himself had no place else to turn, He “fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him” (Mark 14:35).

Do you pray as you should? Do you plan and find time to pray? Do you take advantage of opportunities to pray? Are your prayers humble and reverent? Do you pray for others? When times are good do you neglect prayer? Talk to your Father. In times of need do you hesitate to ask your Father for help because you failed to pray when times were good? Ask your Father for help. Jesus would.

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Jesus Would Attend Church

Jesus Would Attend Church
by Scott Mixon

Attending church is a crucial and vital part of a Christian’s life. Yet many people who consider themselves Christians don’t attend Church on a regular basis. What would Jesus do?

First and foremost, it is God's will that Christians assemble together regularly. Hebrews 10:25-27 says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.”

When we forsake the assembly without a valid reason, whether it is occasionally or completely, we are disobeying God and denying Him of our worship. In Matthew 6:33 Jesus says, "Seek you first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." The Church must be a top priority for the Christian.

We have a number of commands associated with the Church that can not be followed unless Christians attend. In I Corinthians 11: 23-26, Christians are told to assemble to commemorate Jesus' death by partaking of the Lord's Supper. How can we follow the command, in Hebrews 10:25, to “exhort one another” if we do not assemble with other Christians? In Ephesians 5:19 and Col. 3: 16, Christians are commanded to sing and admonish "one another.”

Members of the early Church continue to provide an example for us today concerning how often we should attend. In Acts 2:42 we read, "They continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine, in fellowship, in breaking of bread and prayer." Acts 20:7 states, "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them.” The book of 1 Corinthians also provides strong evidence that Christians met weekly (1 Corinthians 11:17-18, 20, 33; 14:23, 26). In I Corinthians 16:1-2, the New International Version and the New American Standard translations make it clear that the First Century Christians met at least weekly ( “first day of every week” – NIV and NASB).

We are commanded to be like Christ and follow his example (Phil. 2:5-8). While most Christians will agree with the command for disciples to be Christ-like, many don’t believe that their failure to assemble is a violation of that command. Let’s consider the following:

In Luke 2:42-49, when Jesus was 12 years old, his parents could not find Him after leaving Jerusalem. After searching for three days, they found him in the temple sitting among teachers, listening, and asking questions. He responded to his parents, “Why is it you are looking for me? Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” Even at a young age, Jesus displayed His devotion to the Father by assembling with those who were studying and teaching the Word of God.

In Luke 4:16, the Bible says that Jesus had a habit (or “custom”) of attending synagogue for worship.

Jesus maintains an example for Christians today. In fact, Jesus has never forsaken an assembly of Christians. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus said "For where two or more are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Do we want to miss being with the greatest guest of all, our Lord?

When people fall away from the Lord, it is usually not a sudden thing. They usually start by forsaking the assembly of Wednesday night Bible study. Then they start missing Sunday evening worship. Next they stop coming to Sunday morning Bible study; and then finally they stop coming to Sunday morning worship.

When we choose not to gather with other Christians, we are denying ourselves of all the benefits of worship that allow us to grow and strengthen spiritually. If we do not look forward to every opportunity we have to worship God "in spirit and in truth," how will we be able to enjoy worshipping God in heaven?

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