I’m learning the Christian life boils down to submitting and surrendering to the Lordship of Christ. Believers are called to submit and surrender to Jesus all throughout Scripture. I saw this calling to submission and surrender when recently reading through John 8. May we now (and always) turn to God’s Word with the same posture of my youngest son featured above when he was three-years-old and surrender ourselves to the Lord.
Verses 15-16: “You judge by human standards; I (Jesus) pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.” Father, forgive me for how I judge others based on my own, human standards. How dare I judge when you, who are perfect, are not judgmental. Yet when you do judge, it is true and right because you are the perfect, Triune God. You do not stand alone. I, however, am alone in my judgments because I am not one with you. I am not your equal. I must submit and surrender my human, finite, unjust judgments to you.
Verses 28-29: Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” Lord, forgive me for functioning out of my own strength. I like to think that I please you in my actions, but I do not. I am not perfect. Christ is. I’m incapable of being perfect, yet I do not have to be perfect because my Savior is perfect on my behalf. So, all I need to do is submit and surrender to his perfection that covers me. All I need to do is allow him to be the perfect God he is rather than trying (and failing) to be perfect myself.
Verses 31-32: To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus followers are people who hold to Jesus’s teaching and in turn, live free lives. What Jesus teaches is that children of God are people who have room for his Word (v.37). We have room for God’s Word when we let go of rights and claims we think we have to live as we want instead of surrendering those rights and claims to him. Father, forgive me when I confess my sin to you but do not abandon my right to it.
Verse 42: Jesus is talking to Jews who were hung up on being descendants of Abraham (v.39) and professed God is their father (v.41). Then Jesus responds to them with these words in verse 42, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.” I think his statement is profound because he was talking to Jews who believed him (v.31). Apparently, they believed what he was saying, but they did not love him. Love involves submission and surrender. Belief does not. Father, forgive me of the times when I’m believing you but not loving you.
Verse 51: “Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” I was recently talking with my oldest son who had a question about the death of believers, specifically those who die before they live a full, long life here on earth. I spoke of the great hope we have in death because as believers, death doesn’t win, Jesus wins. He responded, “So, either way it’s a happy ending.” I paused for a moment, then thought – he’s right. Either God allows a believer to remain on this earth, or God calls a believer home to live with him forever. Either way, it’s a happy ending for the believer. Death is a grievous event for those left behind who morn for the rest of their lives, but believers left behind morn with hope because not even death can stop God’s coming Kingdom. Lord, we live for the day of your return. We know that being believers who obey your Word means we will never ultimately see death because we will remain with you forever. May we live our days here on earth submitting and surrendering to and obeying your Word until the Word – Jesus – appears again in the flesh to establish his forever Kingdom.
Verse 55: “Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word.” Christ himself knew God and obeyed his Word. Our Savior submitted and surrendered himself to the Father. How much more should I?!
Verse 56: “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” Even Old Testament believers submitted and surrendered to the promise of Christ. Lord, let me live in these last days until your return rejoicing at the thought of your Second Coming. Until then, I will live surrendered to you.