THE OBEDIENT SON

 

“Jesus achieved perfect unity with the Father by submitting Himself, both flesh and spirit, to the will of the Father. The Saviour’s ministry was always clearly focused because there was no debilitating or distracting double-mindedness in Him. Referring to His Father, Jesus said, “I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:29)

-        Elder D. Todd Christofferson, in Conference Report, Oct 2022, 76-77

Indeed, the Saviour did always those things that pleased His Father. And He still does.

When the resurrected Christ visited the Americas, He made 163 references to the Father and 15 of those were references to His obedience to His Father. Over and over He reiterated He was following His Father’s commands in all His teachings to the Nephites (3 Nephi 15:14-16,18,19; 16:3,10,16; 17:2; 18;14,27; 20:10,14,46).

There are two notable examples of Christ’s obedience to the Father whilst in mortality:

-        HIS BAPTISM:  Nephi tells us that Christ was baptised to enter into the covenant of obedience (2 Nephi 31:7). We read of the most glorious confirmation of Christ’s Sonship at the time of His baptism. Matthew records the Father’s voice saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Is there a greater example of obedience than from Him who knew no sin and needed no baptism?

-        HIS ATONEMENT: In the hour of His crucible, in the midst of His worst agony, the Saviour did not shrink from drinking the bitter cup that was given to Him and that He agreed to drink before the world was (3 Nephi 11:11; D&C 19:18; Abraham 3:27). No matter how deep the suffering, the commitment and obedience was unfailing as He submitted himself to the Father’s will (Mark 14:36; Matt 26:42). Is there a greater example of submission to the eternal plan of one’s life?

Such a level of submission and obedience is unfathomable to most of us. It can only come from the deepest love and respect and one other thing, lack of pride. Let me explain.

Generally speaking, the older generation in our society is no longer respected. Our advice is seldom solicited or heeded once our children are adults. And we would not dare tell them what to do. We feel we no longer have that right once they are living their own lives. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule.

I grew up in Croatia in the 60s. I would not dare address my parents with a familiar pronoun of ‘you’. To the date of their death, I addressed them with ‘thou’. No, it was not forced wokeness but a sign of respect and all of us children were doing it. It was reflective of ‘thou shalt honour thy father and they mother’.  I don’t know if this is still the custom but it used to be.

My point is this. The Saviour continues to be obedient to the Father despite having obtained godhood himself. Only total lack of pride would enable Him to recognize and honour a higher deity than himself. He has lived up to His commitment to preserve the Father’s glory and I see Him honouring the Father forever. Could we possibly have a greater example than the beloved Christ?

 

My obedience, Father

I lay at Thy feet,

For He who has brought

Honour and glory to Thy name

Shall forever my guide remain.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Not My Will by Yongsung Kim)