Lent 12. Jesus: Obedient

This year's Lenten theme is qualities of Jesus that make him our model, as well as our Savior and Redeemer.
--- JESUS WAS OBEDIENT ---

Jesus grew up with normal parents in a normal neighborhood. No one anticipated "God with us," beyond his parents and those who heard the good news at his birth.

Yet Jesus was obedient - he learned the ways of his fathers and the traditions of his people. He followed this scripture: Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16

"Sit. Stay." Spike, our occasionally obedient pup.
Those of us who believe that Jesus came to reconcile us with God try to follow his pattern of living. We come to him in obedience - believing that God's solution for our brokenness and separation from him and each other. We accept the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf.

But what then? "How do we continually respond to Jesus after we place our faith in Him? It’s not through big, showstopping acts of obedience that we reach out toward Him. As is often the way with God’s upside-down economy, He uses the small, simple acts of faith to bring us into intimacy with Himself." (Click here for more.)

 We are encouraged to continue to live day by day in obedience to God. We don't do good works to earn points with God or wash away our sins. We accept the need for reconciliation and forgiveness - and then we Become imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:12

 *Self-Assessment: How has God informed and directed your day? What things have you done in obedience today? What things have you left undone?

 How might you become more obedient and more Christ-like in this Lenten season?

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