The only detailed story of Jesus’ youth introduces us to two traits: Jesus’ devotion to His “Father,” and Jesus’ submission to His earthly parents (Luke 2:49-51). As an adult, Jesus taught and practiced obedience to the proper authorities.4 We say “proper” because Jesus did not submit to just anyone who claimed authority. He refused, for example, to bow to human traditions in religion (Matthew 15:1-9). He refused to let unauthorized demands distract Him.5 He let nothing deflect Him from His mission of complete obedience to God.
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work (John 4:34). M
… but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here (John 14:31). M
If Jesus, great as He is, needed to follow His Father’s will “exactly,” how much more should we lesser beings take care to obey! Because of His humble obedience, Jesus was exalted to the Father’s side (Philippians 2:7-9; Hebrews 5:8). Now He tells us to humble ourselves that we too, in due course, may be exalted.6 This same Jesus now lives in our hearts, where He leads us into the same submissive spirit. Look at the parallels between Jesus and us:
Jesus: “I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me” (John 8:28).
Peter tells us: “…whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). MJesus: “I always do the things that are pleasing to him” (John 8:29).7
Paul tells us: “…we make it our aim to please him” (2 Corinthians 5:9).8 M
Is it your personal goal in life to please God? Then you will learn to speak as He speaks. You will learn to obey Him in everything. You will also learn to obey the proper authorities He places over you.
4. Jesus and proper authorities: Matthew 8:4; 17:24-27; 22:15-21; 23:1-3; John 19:11
5. Research Subject – Not distracted or deflected: Matthew 9:11,14; 12:2-4; 15:1-3; 16:22-23; 20:20-23; 26:62-63; Mark 1:37-38; Luke 4:42-43; 12:13-15; 13:14-16; 31-32; 19:39-40 cf. Hebrews 12:1-3; 2 Timothy 2:4-5; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 3:12-15
6. Research Subject – Humble, then exalted: Matthew 5:3; 23:12; Luke 1:52; 14:11; 18:14; Philippians 2:8-9; James 4:6,10; 1 Peter 5:5-6; Proverbs 15:33; 18:12; 22:4; 29:23 cf. Matthew 18:4; Luke 1:48,52; James 1:9-10; Deuteronomy 8:16-18; 1 Samuel 2:6-8; Psalm 145:14; 149:4; Proverbs 3:34; 11:2; 16:18-20; Isaiah 66:2
7. Research Subject – Jesus pleased His Father: John 5:19,30; 6:38; 7:18; 12:49-50; 14:10; Matthew 3:17; 12:18; 17:5 cf. Isaiah 53:10; Hebrews 10:8-9
8. Research Subject – Pleasing God: John 5:30,44; 8:29; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Ephesians 5:10; Romans 12:1-2; 14:18; Galatians 1:10; 6:8; Philippians 4:18; Colossians 1:10; 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 4:1; 1 Timothy 2:3; 5:4; Hebrews 10:6,38; 11:5-6; 13:16,21; 1 Peter 2:5; 1 John 3:22 cf. Micah 6:7-8; Psalm 18:19; 19:4; 51:16-17; 69:30-32 104:34; 147:11; 149:4; Proverbs 3:12; 12:22; 15:8,26; 16:7; Ecclesiastes 2:26; 5:4; 7:26; Isaiah 46:10; Ezekiel 33:11; Malachi 1:8,10; Matthew 12:18; 17:5; Luke 3:22; 8:14; Ephesians 1:5,9; Romans 8:8; 15:2; 1 Corinthians 7:32; 10:5; 2 Timothy 2:4; James 1:27; 2 Peter 1:17. See Note 7.