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Jesus would not pick and choose which Scriptures He would obey. As
we have read already, Jesus would study the Bible (Luke 2:41-50; WWJD no.
3), which He knew to contain “all truth,” (John 16:13), and give Bible answers
to spiritual questions (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10; Matt. 19:4; WWJD no. 2).
Jesus obeyed God in the face of temptation. Following His baptism and
fasting for 40 days, Satan tempted Jesus with food (Matt. 4:3), pride (Matt.
4:6), and power (Matt. 4:8-9). Jesus chose to obey God and resist Satan’s
temptations by relying upon God’s word (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10; Heb. 2:17-18; Heb.
4:15). We, too, are capable of resisting temptation. “No temptation has
overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will
not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the
temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear
it.” (1 Cor. 10:13).
Although Christ’s death ended the Law of Moses, He obeyed the Law
during His life. “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.
I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till
heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from
the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of
these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the
kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called
great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:17-19)
Jesus obeyed God even when obedience caused Him great agony. The
night before Christ was crucified He became “sorrowful and deeply distressed,”
knowing what fate awaited Him (Matt. 26:37; see also Mark 14:33-34; Luke 22:44). He then
prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless,
not as I will, but as You will’…. Again, a second time, He went away and
prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I
drink it, Your will be done.’ So He left them, went away again, and prayed the
third time, saying the same words.” (Matt. 26:39, 42, 44; see also Mark
14:35, 36, 39; Luke 22:42, 44).
Christ was obedient to the point of death (Phil. 2:5-8). Christ did not
want to die. He was tempted, sorrowful and deeply distressed (Heb. 4:15;
Matt. 26:37; Mark 14:33-34; Luke 22:44). He prayed three times to God for
another way (Matt. 26:39, 42, 44; see also Mark 14:35, 26, 29; Luke 22:42).
Nonetheless, through it all, He put God’s will ahead of His own, and obeyed
God by dying for a world of sinners, though Jesus Himself was sinless (Rom.
5:6-9; Phil. 2:5-8).