Today’s Reading: John 8:21-30
Hearing God’s Voice for Today:
“Jesus said to them, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.’ As he was saying these things, man believed in him.”
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This teaching from Jesus is of great importance. Many listeners at the time didn’t understand what he said because they were earthly minded. But when they “lifted up the Son of Man,” when they crucified him, some came to realize who he was—the Son of the Living God and the Lamb of God who takes away all the world’s sins.
When they saw the cross, the Holy Spirit revealed Jesus’ identity to them. They came to believe in him. And they trusted him with their lives and eternity.
Jesus did nothing on his own authority. He purposefully chose to leave his equality with the Father when he put on human flesh and died on a cross for the forgiveness of your sins. While on earth, he spoke only what the Father said to him. The Father and the Son are inextricably and eternally connected. They are of the same nature and mind. They are one.
Because of the Father’s abiding presence in Jesus, he wanted only what was pleasing to him. His will was to do the Father’s will alone— to perfectly obey all that the Father commanded him to do. He did. All his good works were in obedience to the Father’s will—including his death on the cross. Everything Jesus did was meant to glorify the Father.
Do you believe in Jesus? Do you love him? If so, there is one thing that proves you do. As you are unquestioningly connected to him, the Father’s authority will reign over you as it did in Jesus. As the Son intentionally lived to do the Father’s will, so will you live to seek first his kingdom and to do his will.
All authority in heaven and on earth has been granted to Jesus. That means that as he lives in you, he will speak to you and guide your life. He will share with you how you are to obey him every day.
Your greatest desire will then become the doing of the Father’s will in your life—in the same way as Jesus desired only to do his Father’s will. As he was under the Father’s authority, so you are under the Son’s authority.
Please do whatever Jesus tells you to do. Perform all the good works that you know he desires for you to do. Labor enthusiastically for him. Nothing you do for him is useless. Remember that the Lord will reward each person for the good he does.
When you do these good works, you will bring glory to him. People who do not love Jesus will respect the way you live and be drawn toward your Father in heaven. The way you live can help render a good opinion of him. Living so that the Lord is glorified should be your life’s aim in everything you do.
Believe in Jesus. Be totally yielded to his authority over your life. Make the doing of his will your master passion.
When you do, you will prove your love for him.
[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]