Incarnation: Jesus’ Perfect Submission-Advent 14 (2015)

In the Incarnation, there was a little insider stuff going on in the Trinity.

God was gaining from the Incarnation in another way: In Jesus’ submission to the Father.

Some of you may be thinking, “Shut your mouth!”

After all, submission of Jesus within the Godhead is one of those hot-button topics in theological circles. It makes some theologians genuinely angry at the very suggestion.

Submission, in general, is kind of a taboo topic for men to discuss (and women to do). To this group, it reeks of all the patriarchal stuff that modern men and women associate with a different era, like the Stone Age.

Well, I’m one woman who doesn’t mind submission because I understand it. I understand it and I see Jesus doing it. When I am in submission to authority in my life, I look like Jesus and He looks like love. I’m bearing His Image. And it’s all good!  Yay!

Where am I finding Jesus’ submission in the Incarnation?

John 12:44-50, especially John 12:49 For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

John 5:18-30, especially John 5: 19 Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. …30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

John 12:27 “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

Mark 14:36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Thought for the day: Jesus was Incarnated in order to demonstrate a perfect submission to God and God’s ways…something that Adam refused to do. Jesus models for us how mankind should live.  The Son of God had to experience submission even in the “surely die” because Adam didn’t take God’s word as loving, life-giving boundaries in the days prior to the death sentence.

Questions for reflection:

1. Read John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”   What is the connection between love and submission?
2. In the Godhead, submission looks like love. It does not look like power. Why is this an important distinction? Why is it important for the Incarnation?
3. What is the difference between the Father forcing Jesus to die and what happened on the Cross?
4. For insight, read John 10:17 “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life– only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

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Incarnation (2015 Advent Devotional Series) began November 29th.  By way of reminder, if you haven’t signed up yet, you can receive these devotional studies in your email throughout Advent 2015 by entering your email address on the SeminaryGal.com home page in the space provided in the sidebar.  Or “Like” the SeminaryGal Facebook page to access them there.  If you like these devotionals, I’d really appreciate your letting others know so I can continue to spread the Good News far and wide.  Blessings to you, in Christ always, Barbara <><