Looking to Jesus as the example of a good host, we consider what it is to introduce someone to new life. There’s a brilliant example of that in the episode where Jesus meets a woman by the well in Sychar. This is in Samaria and there are significant issues between Jews and Samaritans, but Jesus evidently didn’t read the script about observing racial, gender and social barriers.
Hungry and thirsty, Jesus simply made the most of the opportunity in a foreign setting to be a great host to a woman whose hunger and thirst was even greater than his. There’s a part after this encounter that always intrigues me.
Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”
But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”(John 4:31-34)
Recently we considered the incredible truth that Jesus – the son of God and promised Messiah – was marked by His humility. It’s the key point of what made Him worth approaching for rest and learning from Him. Learning essentially to start from the point of humility. Note the result of humility and obedience exemplified in Jesus,
When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:7-11 NLT)
There is a natural complimentary characteristic that follows humility – that of being obedient. Jesus was just about doing the will of His Father. His entire ministry was focused on being obedient. Whether at this stage of getting a woman to take in the good news of the life to be found in the Messiah, or at the stage of the anguish in Gethsemane Jesus was all about being obedient to His Father who sent Him and doing what He was told to do.
As He exemplified it to the point of crucifixion, it was the standard that would mark all believers. The Father has a will, the children do His will. The Father has a way, the children follow His way.
This appears to some to be counter-intuitive. At some stage we’re wired to want to do our own thing. Some have twisted and contorted relationship with God to be about Him being at our beck and call to make our lives as plenteous and plentiful as possible here on earth in preparation for plenteous and plentiful in heaven. This is just another expression of the innate desire in the human condition to be in charge.
The example of the Son of God is there to show that abundant life is sourced and rooted in being fed the same way the Son was fed – doing the will of the one who sent us. Being obedient to the instructions He gives us. A focus that is not self-centred, but God-centred is keen to do what He desires to that He gets the credit He deserves and the glory that belongs to Him.
There are general and specific elements of that will for our lives. There are corporate and individual aspects of that will. It starts, however, with that basic humility that acknowledges our complete dependence on Him for life. From that place flows the desire to obey the source of our being. That doing also reflects a general attitude in life … which we will soon explore.
Questions to consider in being a Good HOST – 2 Obedience:
Does the Lord Jesus Christ genuinely direct my life?
What has He instructed me to do?
What are the challenges in obeying Him?
How can reflecting obedience to God impact relationships around me today?
(Photo by John Fornander on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 
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