Be grateful for those who walk in obedience
Happy Easter! Blessed Resurrection Day!
I know that many of you expect that I will write about the importance of today’s holiday. And you are right, of course I will. But before that, let me talk about the incomparable virtue of obedience.
In the Book of John, you find the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. In this rendition of the story (as it is found in multiple gospels), the author takes care to note that, while the disciples were searching for enough food to feed the crowd, they came upon a young boy.
John 6:9 states: “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus took the loaves and fish, raised them up to the heavens and asked God to bless them. The food was portioned out, and thousands were fed. This is a great and awesome miracle that is often referred to and shared as a story to show God’s awesome power through his son, Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, we too often forget to share the story of obedience embedded in this one verse. No one knows the boy’s name, and he was never recognized for his obedience, but if the boy traveling in the crowd was not obedient to the request of the disciples to give his food, he would have missed out on his opportunity to be a part of a miracle. He would have missed his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be the major part of a blessing. He would have missed his chance to be a part of the solution.
A famous obedient servant was Mother Teresa.
God’s humble servant and missionary once said, “I know the power obedience has of making things easy which seem impossible.” At the age of 18, Mother Teresa left her home, moved by her desire to become a missionary, to join the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ireland. Living her life in obedience to God’s call for her to serve others, Mother Teresa provided us with a modern-day example of humility, servant leadership, and that there is purpose and blessing in obedience. Because of her obedient spirit a countless number of lives were positively changed.
During her life, Mother Teresa was honored with the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize, the Nehru Prize, the Balzan Price, the Nobel Peace Prize and many more. Mother Teresa continued to live her life as an obedient servant, blessing the world until her death in 1997.
Jesus, the Messiah, the Savior, the Christ, his life is the ultimate example of obedience and the benefits of doing so.
Philippians 2:6-11 states: “… (Christ) gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God, the Father.”
Christ, knowing that he would experience incomprehensible pain at the hands of people who he was required to save, obediently gave his life. Could you imagine being spit on by the people who you were dying to save? Could you imagine being whipped by the people who you were required to save?
I know that I love my son. I know that I would give my life to save his. I don’t know that I could take a beating for you. I don’t know that I could allow you to spit on me and, in turn, respond with pity for you. I don’t know that I could pray for you while you pierce my skin with nails and hang me on a cross. I just don’t know. I am so grateful that I won’t need to know the answer to those questions. One man already did it. Jesus Christ, born to a virgin mother and a carpenter father, came to earth, to give his life, so that we might live in heaven with the Father for eternity.
In each of these examples, people’s lives were changed because one person, yes, one person, was obedient. Imagine what you could do, what purpose you could fulfill, what doors you could open if you were obedient. As you celebrate Easter today, be grateful for the many people who walked in obedience. Their actions have blessed you in ways that you know or have yet to experience.
P.S. Church isn’t just for the holidays! Did that sting? Good — I meant for it to sting. Be obedient and start talking to God every day.
Gina Jones is a lifelong resident of Fayette County and serves the community as an educator and advocate. E320 – Follow Gina on Twitter @professorgmarie.