What is your experience of resurrection ground, resurrection life? One can be satisfied with Jesus, and yet, feel unfulfilled with their walk with the Lord, always knowing that there is something more in the “much more” of God, beckoning us to go deeper with Him.
Jesus, our Pattern Man “became” obedient by things He “suffered”, (yielded to, allowed), by His choices to humble Himself and surrender to His Father’s will. Hebrews 5:8 declares of Jesus: “Though He were a Son, yet He learned obedienced by the things which He suffered”, (KJV). If Jesus had to learn obedience by yielding to His Father’s will, (“nevertheless not My will, but Yours”, Matthew 26:39), then we, also, must learn obedience by yielding to the Lord. Surrender is not a place to fear, but a walk in humility as I exchange my will for God’s. The transaction brings sweet release, the fragrance of the life of Christ flowing through a surrendered vessel with no obstacles in the way. The battle was all of my own making, stubbornly insisting on my own way and refusing the peace of resurrection ground, my birthright in Christ. All attitudes of self are forbidden entry to resurrection ground. Our selfish ways keep us in a cold wilderness! Only through godly repentance will we access a return to the Father’s House, Jesus made a way through Him. He is the Way.
Philippians 2: 7-8 “Jesus made Himself of no reputation and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men…….He humbled Himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross”. As Jesus humbled Himself He became obedient. He demonstrated the key to unlock our birthright to that glorious resurrection ground. We too, are on the journey of “becoming” as we walk in humility.
The Lord inspects the motives of our hearts. He is more interested in “why” we do something, than “what” we actually do. If our motive is self glory to promote ourselves in the eyes of men, then our Father is displeased, there is no humility in the deed. What may appear good in men’s eyes brings displeasure to the Lord if I am seeking the approval of others for my own pleasure. Only as we keep our eyes on the Lord and deal with our wrong attitudes, will we continue to learn obedience and continue our journey of becoming.
Jesus’ triumphant victory at Calvary is our passport to a life on resurrection ground. Our heart’s attitude defines our altitude in Him. God’s word challenges us on a daily basis: “Choose this day who you will serve”. Will I choose God’s way in humility, preferring others before self, or will I be selfishly self serving? Why hang on to the right to myself when a daily walk with Jesus is my divine birthright? Jesus promised rest for our souls when we come to Him. He is indeed our Sabbath Rest, our Promised Land, the Fullness of God, the Desire of our Heart and our Resurrection Ground. As we learn to abide in Him, we become one with Him and desire to know Him as He really is. Only in Him will we find our completion and the rest our souls are seeking.
Photo by Dawid Zawiła on Unsplash