The first time I read the word “exactly” in this passage I prayed, “Really Lord, exactly?” No room for doing my own thing now and then or obeying you most of the time? I felt His reply in my heart: nope.

Jesus completely obeyed His Father all the time and modeled what a relationship with His Father is to be like. Wherever Jesus went, what He spoke and taught, and even the miracles He did, came from His Father. In John 5:30, Jesus said, “By myself I can do nothing…I seek, not to please myself but him who sent me.”

Jesus modeled a posture He wants for all of us — complete obedience to the will of the Father motivated by love. In John 14:1-15, Jesus comforts His disciples and explains that they will continue to have a close relationship with Him after he is gone. Jesus declares that if you love me then you will obey me — not as a legalistic requirement of being His disciple but as an act of love.

Jesus revealed that the Holy Spirit “will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:26b, 27). Exact obedience to the Father keeps us closely relying on His power even though we are tempted to wander and demand our own will.

Father God, I love you and with all of my heart want to obey you without compromise or resistance. Draw me close, give me ears to hear your instructions and obey you. I am completely dependent on you for life, power, strength, guidance, and instructions. Above all else, may my desire be to do your will for your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Go Deeper — Find a quiet place where you can pray and listen to the Father. Ask Him to search your heart and break through any resistance within. Ask Him to speak through His word and reveal to you if there is any rebellion or attitude of disobedience. Ask the Lord to bring you into alignment wholeheartedly with His will.



Tags: dependence John 14