the glory of obedience
"His mother instructed those waiting on table, 'Do whatever He tells you.' " —John 2:5
When you run out of wine at a wedding reception, do what Jesus tells you. When you don't see any way out of all your problems, obey Jesus in detail. When you're in the desert and haven't entered the Promised Land, obey Jesus without veering to the right or the left (see Dt 5:32). When you want to do your own thing, do Jesus' thing instead. When you must crush the devil quickly, obey Jesus (see Rm 16:19-20; 2 Cor 10:6). If you want to save the lives of babies in the womb, "lean not on your own understanding" (Prv 3:5, our transl.), but do what Jesus says. If you want to lead your children to Jesus or save your marriage, obey the Lord. When you want to face death fearlessly, obey Jesus.
Sin entered the world through the disobedience of the one man, Adam, but salvation came through the obedience of the one man, Jesus (Rm 5:17-19). Obedience is an opportunity, privilege, and joy (see Ps 40:9). In obedience, we have reason to be hopeful even under the worst circumstances. In obedience, we imitate Jesus, Who obeyed His Father even to accepting death on the cross (Phil 2:8).
Life in Christ is the "life of obedience" (1 Pt 1:2). Obedience is the way to victory. Thank the Lord each day for the privilege of obeying Him.
Prayer: Father, lead me to obey You in ways where I have never obeyed You before.
Promise: "Prophecy is given to one; to another power to distinguish one spirit from another. One receives the gift of tongues." —1 Cor 12:10
Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, the incarnate and eternal Word! Alleluia to the Word made Flesh! (Jn 1:14)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 27, 2012
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