Do what God wants and everything will be okay. Everything will mold you into a path that is filled with joy, suffering, love, rejection, peace, questions, purpose, wonder, misunderstandings, courage, fear, doubt, great faith, great loss, and great gain. I could go on, but I am sure by now you are wondering where I am going with this. Our baby Jesus, whom most of the world will celebrate on December 25th, went through so much suffering, yet remained obedient to the cross. Had he rebelled in just one area of his life, all of humanity would have remained lost. His obedience and great suffering brought such a benefit to all mankind. Why did He have to suffer? Wouldn't His blood have paid for all our sins even if it was shed without any suffering? Why the beating? Why the nails? Why such anguish? It seems that the Son of God would live a life without such suffering and die a peaceful death.
So why did Jesus suffer so much when he came to this earth as a man? Well, Hebrews 2:17-18 sums it all up. “For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He himself suffered when he was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.” Jesus took on human flesh and came to die for our transgressions and did this without sinning. Still, He went through suffering to identify with us. He experienced pain and suffering so that He could help us when we hurt; when we cry; when we suffer loss.
So, my dear friends, when it is difficult for you to obey the Lord, you can ask and get help from the one who learned obedience from all the things He suffered. It’s not easy to walk the pathway that God has set before us. Nor is it easy to become obedient to the purpose of God. These things are learned on our own personal pathway to obedience. It's hard when God calls us to do something difficult or painful. Death on a cross was a struggle for Jesus in his humanity. I am sure He thought that “maybe there would be another way” as He cried out to the Father. The Father heard Him but nothing would change (Hebrews 5:7-8). Our beloved Jesus walked through it with complete submission. He was also obedient in every other assignment, and this made Him ready. If His obedience and suffering resulted in such an amazing benefit; just imagine what’s in store for you and for me when we do what God wants!
So today on December 24 and 25 and every day after that, just do what God wants and everything will be okay … in the good days and in the days that are not so good. Rejoice! Rejoice! The baby has risen and the king is coming back soon and all your loved ones who loved Him will be with you. Rejoice! Rejoice! And share the full story of His birth! (Hebrews 4:16).
May the Joy of the Lord be Your Strength!
Bob Deering
thx so much…Timely and perfectly appropriate advice for this Christmas season.
Even if, in obedience, we must courageously, despite the intimidation, despite the fear, confront. We can confront in the loving, merciful Spirit of Jesus and then things will flow much
better.
May the precious Holy Spirit fill these challenging moments with His Comforting Presence, as we know we are never alone.
Bless you guys!