Following Jesus 61

I began to wonder about those various individuals and groups who encountered Jesus not only prior to His conception, but also after His birth. You know, the characters of the Christmas story. Did they evidence their love for God by their obedience to God’s commandments? Let’s see. 

 

Let us begin with Mary. What was Mary’s response when the angel Gabriel communicated to her all that was going to occur when she, a virgin, would give birth to Emmanuel: God with us? She responded, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 

(Luke 1:38 ESV). She evidenced her love for God by obedience to God.

 

What about Joseph? How did he display his love for God since the Bible does describe him as a righteous man (Matthew 1:19)? When the angel told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, to keep her a virgin until after the baby was born, and to name that baby Jesus because He would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-23), Joseph obeyed. The Bible says that “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. (Matthew 1:24-25 ESV). Joseph evidenced his love for God by his obedience to God.

 

What about the shepherds? When the angel of the Lord told them they would find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger in Bethlehem and that this baby was Christ the Lord, what did they do? The Bible says, “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Luke 2:15-20 ESV. The shepherds too evidenced their love for God by their obedience to God. 

 

These are but three examples of many found in the Scriptures indicating that obedience to God’s commandments is strong evidence that the individual in question is a true follower of Jesus. This is what John says in his first epistle about obedient discipleship. 

 

“And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (1 John 2:3-6 ESV)

 

More than emotional sentimentalism which lasts for only the moment, obedience to God’s Word by the Spirit empowered resolution of one’s will, truly displays a love for God. May this be so in our lives today as we seek to follow Jesus: now and in the year to come. Soli deo Gloria!