Once again, we find many passages in the Scriptures that appear to imply Jesus assumed a subordinate role to the Father while on earth, and possibly even in heaven. And, as in the past, we are faced with some questions. But the answer to those questions and, at least on the surface, inconsistencies are found in the reality that Jesus lived to do the will of His Father. Both then, in the pages of Scripture, and even now, in heaven.
This is a truth revealed in the Gospels. Consider the following:
Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:28-29)
Jesus Had No Agenda of His Own
Note, Jesus does not do things to advance His own agenda. He purposes His life to “always do those things that please Him (Father).”
“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.” (John 6:37-39)
Again, taken at face value, this implies the Father has something the Son doesn’t and then gives it to Him to act on the Father’s behalf or best interest.
What can we learn from this?
How Did Jesus Live to do the Will of His Father?
In this message, we will attempt to glean from the life and teaching of Jesus how He was able to voluntarily submit Himself to an equal for the greater purpose. And that would be the redemption of fallen, sinful people like you and me. We will also try to begin to truly understand what humility looks like, as displayed in the character of the Son to His Father.
Paul puts it best when he writes:
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 3:5-9)
But how do we take these humble actions and attributes of Christ and internalize them into our lives? How do we “let this mind be in you which also was in Christ Jesus”?
This, after all, is the most important question. So join us as we discover this truth together. After all, if Jesus lived to do the will of His Father, what does that say about us?
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