The selfless obedience of Jesus Christ to the will of God his Father, through which the redemption of humanity is accomplished. Christ also shows himself willing to submit to earthly authorities and sets an example which believers are called to imitate.
Jesus Christ was totally obedient to his Father's will
Obedience was central to Jesus Christ's life and thought
John 4:34; Hebrews 10:9 See also Matthew 3:15, Matthew 8:9–10 parallel Luke 7:8–9; John 5:30, John 6:38, John 14:31; Hebrews 10:7; Psalm 40:7–8
Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.
Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second.
Jesus Christ's obedience meant ultimate personal cost
Matthew 26:39 parallels Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42Philippians 2:8 See also Isaiah 50:5–6, Isaiah 53:10–12; Matthew 16:21 parallels Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22; John 10:18, John 13:1; Hebrews 5:8
Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross.
Jesus Christ's obedience was necessary for God's salvation plan
Romans 5:18–19 See also Matthew 27:40–42 parallels Mark 15:30–31, Luke 23:35–37; Luke 24:26; John 17:2–4, John 17:26, John 19:30
So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Jesus Christ's obedience was shown in his human relationships
He was obedient to his parents
Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
He was obedient to secular authorities
See also Matthew 17:24–27, Matthew 22:17–21 parallels Mark 12:15–17, Luke 20:22–25
He was obedient to the Jewish law
Matthew 5:17–18, Matthew 22:37–40 parallels Mark 12:29–31, Luke 10:26–28; Mark 2:23–28; John 7:19, John 10:37–38 Jesus Christ's obedience and commitment were to the spirit of God's law; his attitudes to Jewish legalism were often seen as disobedience. Disputes over the Sabbath are one example.
Believers should follow Jesus Christ's example of obedience
Obedience to God's will is paramount
Matthew 19:17 See also Matthew 7:21, Matthew 12:50 parallels Mark 3:35, Luke 8:21; John 15:10; Ephesians 6:6
“Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
Christlike obedience expresses love for God
2 John 1:6 See also John 14:15, John 14:20–21, John 15:12
And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love.
Obedience should characterise believers' lives
Romans 1:5 “obedience” refers to a whole lifestyle arising from a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. See also Acts 5:29; 2 Corinthians 2:9
Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.