Mercy

As a kid growing up, I learned that Christ sacrificed His life on the cross for my sins because He loves me. While it is true that Christ was motivated by love and even love for me, I have grown to understand that His primary motivation was something even more amazing. He was motivated by His love for and therefore obedience to the Father. Jesus Christ chose to lay down His life because He loves the Father and true love necessitates obedience. Christ "became obedient unto death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 3) Christ was willing to endure that pain of the cross because He was an obedient Son. His obedience wasn't grudging or angry; it was willing. A submission to the will of the Father that wasn't unaware of the cost, but was willing to obey for the "joy that was set before Him." (Hebrews 12:2) I am thankful for His willing obedience as it is the source of my life, my salvation from the power and penalty for my own sin. But His obedience is more, it is the example that I must follow if I am to be a "friend of God." (John 14-15) I am so far from that place of willing, happy obedience. I want my way. I want what pleases my flesh. I desire my comfort, my happiness at the expense of those that I love and even at the expense of obeying my Father. So, I come again and remember His happy obedience, His quiet answers to Pilate, and I am encouraged to let go, to say, "Mercy" and submit to the will of the Father, and to give up my hold on my desires and let Him be God.

Thank you, LORD, for Your example and Your mercy that keeps teaching the lessons that I struggle to learn. Thank you for a day set aside to remember Your victory won through submission.