Bending the knee

They did not understand that Jesus was talking to them about the Father. So he said to them, ‘When you lift up the Son of Man, you will know that “I Am Who I Am”; then you will know that I do nothing on my own authority, but I say only what the father has instructed me to say. And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him.’ Many who heard Jesus say these things believed in him. (verses 27-30)

Read John 8:21-38

Authority. Who needs it? First it’s your parents, then teachers and lecturers, then the boss and the tax people who tell you what to do. Then, when you think you can at last do your own thing, your own children start bossing you around! Is there ever any escape?

Like you and me, Jesus faced the temptation to do whatever he liked when he liked. It would have been very tempting for him to throw in the towel, call off the whole show and go back to heaven. And he could have. Yet he chose to be obedient. The King of kings and Lord of lords chose to bend his knee to his Father. And that perfect obedience didn’t come cheaply for Jesus. Ultimately it cost him his life.

Jesus’ obedience to his Father was for us so that we too can follow him and live in a right relationship with God. Jesus calls us to submit to God by dying and rising with him. We may not die physically as a result of submitting to God, but we have eternal life with Jesus.

Dear Jesus, cleanse me of my pride and humble my heart. Teach me to submit to you as Lord and Saviour of my life. Amen.

by Linda Macqueen, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)

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