When God subjected himself

“And he [Jesus] went down with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them.” Luke 2:51

One of the hardest things for human beings to do is to learn to obey. I won’t go into the theological reasons why this is so. In any case, we have to admit we struggle not to resent subjecting ourselves to someone else’s will. That’s a good thing, too, most of the time. Following just anybody’s directives without thought to his or her intentions can be dangerous. Even so, it’s good for our well-being that the majority of us U.S. citizens obey the basic laws of this land. At the least, it keeps us from killing each other off.

Still I for one am a little squirmy when I read in Deuteronomy God commanding the people to obey and serve him, not once, but 20-plus times. Why does God make such a big deal out of serving him? Well, for one, he, not we, is the All-wise Creator who has made us for his purest love. He designed the world to work in harmony when we love and serve him. Period.

Yet there is another big reason for the command to obey. Humble to the utmost, God has subjected himself to us. This truth was highlighted in last Sunday's service as we celebrated the feast day of The Holy Family. The key verse from the Gospel reading is quoted at the top of this post.

Jesus was twelve. He scared his mother and step-father half to death wandering off by himself to the temple in Jerusalem to discuss theology with Jewish scholars. When Mary and Joseph finally find him, it would have been natural for a 12 year old boy to smart off when chastised for worrying them. “Hey, I’m an above-average kid, I’m impressing the big guys. Why do I need to listen to you anymore?” No, Jesus not only returned with them to back-water Nazareth, he, the Creator of all the earth, lived under their guidance until he came of age.

So, as an adult, Jesus could say of himself without any false tone, “For the Son of Man came not to serve, but to serve and give his life a ransom for many.” If he had not served us with his very body and blood, where would be the source of our salvation?

So, what reaction would God desire to such great love? Our reciprocity.