One of the component of the “cup and baptism” is the matter of obedience. Again we see Jesus going through this cup graciously. We see Him showing any one who would follow after His own order, the path unto becoming all that God has purposed him to be. Though we have several examples in other men in the Bible, our Master’s example is the standard. It is the yardstick. Let us examine Him closely at this training of His obedience.
“So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest; but it was He who said to Him; You are my Son, today I have begotten You.” As He also says in another place, You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedek. Who in the days of His flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear; though He was Son, yet He learnt obedience by the things He suffered; And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Heb. 5: 7-9 (NKJV).
Let us note as a primary concern that all authority “exercisable” whether in heaven or on earth belongs to God. Power belongs to God. Every man who would bear any measure of authority would only be a delegate. For a man to stand in a place to exercise spiritual authority over others, it will only be delegated to him by God. The essential pre-requisite qualification for a man to be appointed a representative delegate of God is this proven submission and absolute obedience. Rebellion is defined as a desire to break away from an authority that is a quest to become “an authority” in oneself: a personal drive for self independence. Adam’s sin, which pushed him out of God’s garden of service, was the sin of rebellion. It was a desire to be ‘god’ himself and not to take instruction from God again. It was also a desire to know things in himself and by himself without recourse to God who created him and placed him over His creation. Since the fall of man, the seed of rebellion or rather the spirit of disobedience passed on to every man born of a woman. Our redemption actually is unto obedience of Jesus Christ.
“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God, the Father, through the sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” 1 Pet.1: 2.
“Chosen and destined by God the father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and for the sprinkling with His blood.” 1 Pet.1: 2 (RSV).
Unbelievers are called “the children of disobedience.” The nature and character of the natural man is disobedience. He is known daily, not just by the acts of disobedience he performs, but by his life, which is the life of disobedience. Disobedience in a man is not just a refusal to obey certain instructions; it is the desire, the instinct and tendency to refuse authority in life. A man may perform acts of obedience while yet bearing about the life of disobedience. He obeys quickly in order to be free to be left alone. He demarcates boundaries. He insists on who can exercise authority on him and who cannot. He may obey one and disobey the other in the same place and at the same time..Click Here to Read More
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