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A STORY OF OBEDIENCE

By: Louise Struwig

Obedience is not a popular concept. The idea of complying with an order, or submitting to another’s authority, is often viewed in our society as a sign of weakness. Yet, it’s a value that ranks high on God’s requirements. Samuel, speaking on God’s behalf, told Saul, “…to obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22). In other words, God ranks obedience higher on His list of priorities then repentance. 

Yes, you say but that’s Old Testament. Okay then, let’s see how obedience is demonstrated in the New Testament. Since it’s almost time to celebrate Christmas, we’ll use the surrounding events as our example, following the thread of obedience as the Christmas story unfolds. Each act of obedience is followed by another act of obedience until the complete Gospel unfolds.

The main cast includes, Joseph, Mary and Jesus. The supporting roles are filled by the shepherds, Caesar Augustus, and later on Pontius Pilate, who seemingly wrecks the whole plot, but is actually an important link to fulfilling Gods purpose of providing atonement for our sins. Let’s start with the supporting roles and then work our way through to the star of God’s Gospel show – Jesus our Saviour.

Act 1

Scene 1

Joseph and Mary are promised in marriage when she becomes pregnant. Being pregnant puts her in a difficult situation – the talk of the town and a scandal in society. Yet her attitude shows her submission in obedience to God. Read the details in Luke 1:26 – 38. Verse 38 tells us about Mary’s response. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Mary obeys even though in verse 29 we read that she was ‘greatly troubled.’ Mary understands that she has been chosen to carry the Messiah, the chosen One. When word got out about her being pregnant, she would most certainly have been shunned and called ‘that crazy pregnant girl who thinks she’s chosen by God.’ Yet, shortly afterwards when she visits Elizabeth, she breaks out in a song of praise, glorifying God, saying that future generations will call her blessed. (Read in Luke 1: 46 – 55.) She says, “…for the Mighty One has done great things for me – Holy is His name…” (v49). How is that as an example of submission and obedience in spite of her awkward situation?

Scene 2

Josephs first reaction is different and we read in Matthew 1:19 “Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in his mind to divorce her quietly.” He is also in an awkward and embarrassing situation. But then an angel appears to him and explains that Mary has conceived by the Holy Spirit and is carrying the Messiah, and will give birth to a son, to be called Jesus. In verse 24 we read, “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” His response is obedience.

Scene 3

A few months later, Joseph again acts in obedience, this time to the laws of the country. In Luke 2, we read about Caesar Augustus issuing a law that everyone in the country must register in their home town. In spite of his wife being very pregnant and about to give birth, Joseph obeys and travels with her to the town of Bethlehem. Let’s pause here for a moment to reflect on what obedience meant in this situation – inconvenient. Once again Joseph and Mary face a difficult situation. Travelling by foot and on a donkey was very uncomfortable for Mary, risky for the actual birth and stressful for Joseph who had the responsibility to care for his wife and unborn child. Yet, he is still obedient to the laws issued. Caesar Augustus is oblivious to the fact that he has done exactly what God wants: Get Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem so that prophetic Scripture is fulfilled. (See Micah 5:2)

Scene 4

The shepherds were quietly minding their sheep when angels appeared and terrified them. The angels announced that Christ the Lord had been born and they travelled to Bethlehem. Then they spread the word that the Messiah had been born, like obedient evangelists. (Luke 2:20)

Scene 5

Next Joseph acts in obedience when an angel appears to him to say that he must take Mary and the baby and flee to Egypt. In Matthew 2:13 we read, “…an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”” It wasn’t convenient to pack up and flee to another country, but Joseph obeyed. I don’t know about you but I’m very glad that Joseph was obedient, and Herod was not able to interfere with or delay Gods plan before Jesus even started his ministry on earth. 

Scene 6

Jesus was obedient to the Father, and left heaven to come to earth as a dependent baby. The favoured Son, worshipped and adored by angels became a helpless human baby, dependent on human parents for everything – his food, his clothes, his protection, his education.

Interval

Okay you say, but Mary and Joseph and the shepherds were visited by angels and the assignment was clear so it was easy to obey. In fact, Mary understood the assignment as mother of the Messiah so clearly, that when the family attended a wedding in Cana, she advised the bridegrooms servants to also obey, and a miracle happened. Mary told them, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5) It was also easy for Jesus to obey, you say. He knew the will of his Father and was willing to obey because He is part of the Trinity. Was it easy for Him to obey and submit to what God wanted – death on a cross, with flogging, ridicule and rejection?

Act 2

Scene 1

We find Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane praying, to escape the assignment if possible. “Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed, if possible, the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”” (Mark 14: 35-36) That’s an indication that he wished he could escape the assignment but chose to obey the will of His Father.  Jesus felt the weight of the responsibility and hoped that His father could make another plan. Yet, He did choose to obey so that you and I can escape the punishment we deserve for our sins and enjoy salvation.

Scene 2

Pontius Pilate, also oblivious to God’s plan, ignores his wife’s warning to have nothing to do with Jesus’ death, passes the buck to the crowd to decide, and then condemns Jesus to death on a cross, fulfilling prophetic scriptures. (The plot is not wrecked, but going exactly according to Gods plan.)

Finale

Visitations by angels are rare, but God still gets His message across clearly through the Bible and the Holy Spirit. What excuse do we have to not obey? When we obey, we become part of Gods awesome plan to change lives, bring salvation to others, and change the outcome of situations… You see, God doesn’t need us to make His plans work. He can use rulers and political figures like Caesar and Pilate, or any other method He chooses. But God chooses to work through you and I and that requires our obedience to Him. Gods plans and purposes will prevail – with or without our obedience and submission. But He gives us an opportunity through obedience to be part of the miracle, the solution, the plan and His purpose.  When we obey God, He performs miracles.

As we celebrate Christmas this year, let’s remember the example of obedience that Jesus set. Be encouraged, our obedience to God makes an enormous difference to others, as He works in and through us.  

(All scriptures are quoted from the NIV.)