John records that at the end of his life Jesus said, “it is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. These are not the actions and words of a victim. Jesus was in control of his own death. He ended his life when it was the right time when he had finished what his Father asked him to do. No one took his life from him, he laid down of his own accord (John 10:17-18).
The death of Jesus was not a random moment in time. He died in obedience when he had completed all that he had been given to do. This is what obedient love and sacrifice look like.
Jesus is our Messiah because he consciously took the exact payment that your sins and my sins demanded. He was forsaken when it should have been me who was abandoned and punished. He knew the ugly extent of my sins and yet extended his love to me. In obedience, he died in my place so that his Father’s wrath would be satisfied and that I would know life. He endured wrath that would have destroyed you and me so that we could know joy.
The next time you think it is hard to obey, the next time your children tell you it is hard to obey – think of Christ’s obedience. Of course, it is a challenge for us to obey the perfect law of God. Jesus Obedience goes against our natural inclination to honor ourselves before God. this is where we come face-to-face with the wonder of Christ’s obedience on the cross. He died so that you and your children can obey. He suffered beyond anything that you can imagine. Because he obeyed, you have the privilege to do the good things that God has planned for you to do.
Christ’s death and resurrection mean that you have the power and gift of the Holy Spirit to say yes to God and no to yourself! Take joy that Jesus, the only good Son, has taken your sin and given you his righteousness.
The obedience of the good Son is your life!