Jesus’ Commands
This is an audio recording of Jesus’ Commands the Day 3 entry in Today for Seafarers (Vol. 1) devotional by Jason Zuidema.
Listen to the audio by Sheila Margerrison or read the text below:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well...The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
If you love me, keep my commands.”
I once heard a chief officer give a very important command to another crew member about lifeboat safety, and the officer took the time to explain everything with care and respect. I was struck by that because it has not always been the case that officers have been so considerate with such a command to a common crew member.
Commands or commandments often are described in negative ways. But no one likes to get bossed around or to be told what to do. However, when we think about it carefully, we realize that commands are an essential part of life.
We can command people in a mean or prideful manner, but most often commands are meant to be helpful. For example, if one’s ship is in distress and the Coast Guard commands the stranded crew to make this or that maneuver, it is not for harm, but for good— with the goal of saving lives and getting the ship out of danger.
The same is true with the commands of God. Some think that the commands of the Bible take the fun out of life or ruin the party, but the reality is that they are instructions for how to find salvation in a world of ruin. In general, life in this world can be like being in a lifeboat, struggling to survive. God’s instructions are not to harm us, but to give us freedom and full life.
For Further Thought
How do you react when you are commanded to do something?
What do you think of when you hear the commandments of the Bible? Are they easy to follow?
What can we do to better listen to the commandments of our Savior?
Prayer
Dear Lord, you have given me life in Jesus Christ. Please forgive me for often failing to follow your commands. Thank you for building my faith every day. Please be with me and my family as we seek to be faithful people in your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
