Why obedience?

We grew up with a black Labrador dog. That dog was smart. He was also more obedient to our mother than we were. Every morning she gave him my brother’s ball cap and told him, “Take it to Jack.” He did. Every evening, she told him, “Go get your dish.” He did.

He obeyed us too. One trick we taught him was to push open doors shut. On a hot summer day, we ran in and out of the house, often forgetting to close the door behind us. Mother wasn’t pleased because the flies came inside that open door. But we didn’t listen. Our dog just flopped in a shady spot and kept cool.

Mother was washing clothes that day. She had a large laundry basket ready to take out to the clothesline, too large for her to easily maneuver. She went out with it, failing to pull the door shut with her foot. The dog heaved a big sigh, slowly got up, and went over and pushed the door shut.

My obedience has improved somewhat. My mother no longer lives so she cannot see the improvement. She would smile if I reminded her about the dog and the door. However, it is not right to measure my obedience by hers, or by that dog’s. The only perfectly obedient person was Jesus Christ. He is my standard.

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. (1 John 4:14)

Jesus was obedient. God said go; Jesus went. Think of it. If my father told me to jump off a cliff, would I do it? Jesus went, knowing what awaited Him — a short life and a painful death. Why would anyone do that?

The dog obeyed because there was a treat at the end of his obedience. He ran with the hat, but ran just as fast back to the kitchen for his treat. He picked up his dish (often a heavy, beat up cast iron skillet) because he knew mom would fill it with his supper when he brought it back to the front door.

We obeyed our parents for various reasons. Sometimes it felt good. Sometimes we just wanted to stay on the good side of them. Sometimes it seemed reasonable. Sometimes we had better ideas and did not listen.

Jesus had one good reason for obedience. We often say it was because He loved us, but John 3:16 says it was God who loved the world — motivating Him to send His Son. For Jesus, the reason He came is a bit amazing.

. . . Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

He obeyed for the joy that would come afterward. A treat might be a good thing, or hearing a “well done” might motivate me, but Jesus did it for the joy set before Him, joy in the presence of His Father.

This joy is the result of total obedience. Jesus obeyed and experienced the utter joy of saving sinners and bringing the lost into the promise of an eternal home. He rescued millions. He brought light and life to a dark and dead place. He defeated death and Satan.

Lord, I’ve thought of many reasons why I want to be like You, and why I want to be obedient. I cannot die for the salvation of sinners, but I can live so that You can use my life for Your purposes. You may not let me see the results in my lifetime, but that is fine with me. You have given enough glimpses of that eternal joy to motivate me. Help me to press on — through difficulties, trials and even persecutions — because I know You have set joy before me also.