Jesus in the Flesh

Doing something difficult requires conviction and determination - the conviction to do what’s good and right with the determination to follow through, no matter what.

Throughout my life, I’ve gone against the grain of conventional understanding in order to undertake that which I thought, in my core, had to be done even in the face of extreme opposition.

While many of those past situations involved a high level of selfishness on my part and weren't always noble, the negative fallout would have been far worse had I not followed through. Now that I’ve been born again, my inner motivation to do what’s morally sound is under the careful supervision of my heavenly Father through his indwelling Holy Spirit.

Being under godly management has brought more joy and satisfaction than the former years of thinking every decision had to be about me. Yes, the self-serving side of me pops up from time to time, perhaps more than I may openly admit, but as my relationship with God deepens, so does the desire to glorify him in how I live.

So, I totally get why Jesus came to dwell among us. To play out his inner convictions of love that aligned with his heavenly Father’s and infiltrate the mess of humanity in order to do what was right. Not just because it was his Father's will but that it was Christ’s desire to obey that will.

And as I live out my Christian life before God, the same pure motivations of Christ are, steadily, becoming my own. More and more I desire to obey every prompting in order to bring glory to God.

Today’s verse embodies the rich significance of Christ’s coming in all his glory, grace and truth. God is glorified by the glory of his incarnate son coming to earth and dying a death only Jesus could die so that we might be saved.

As Easter approaches, I’m more impacted than ever by the awesome words of these two game changing lines of Scripture. Through Christ’s sacrifice and glory, I too may choose to walk in the way of selflessness and obedience in great hope that Christ’s glory shines in me.

So, when the world tugs on us for attention or brings along a message meant to place us in a state of fear or uncertainty, let’s see beyond the tactics and remember today’s words from John.

Set up camp on the side of glory. Be warmed by the fire of the holy love that brought us salvation in the flesh, while praising and thanking God for the hope we have in Jesus. Let us joyfully proclaim - Christ is risen, he is risen indeed!

Precious Jesus, I praise you for your obedience to dying on the cross for me. May I demonstrate the same willingness to act on the will of my heavenly father as you did. It’s in your name I pray. Amen.

Throughout This Day: Let the words of today’s verse permeate your heart, mind and soul, convincing you that Jesus’s loving sacrifice in coming to earth and dying on the cross is also worth our obedience and sacrifice to him.