By Prophet John Tunke Bisina
TEXTS: John 4:27-34; 6: 35-40; Matthew 26:36-46
ONE of the most remarkable characteristics of the earthly life of Jesus Christ was His absolute submission to the will of the Father. In every circumstance–whether in service, suffering, or sacrifice–Christ consistently placed the Father’s will above His own desires. The life of Jesus demonstrates that the highest priority of a truly godly life is not personal ambition, comfort, or convenience, but the fulfillment of the will of God.
In John 4:34, Jesus made a profound declaration to His disciples: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” This statement reveals how central the Father’s will was to His life. Just as food sustains the physical body, doing the will of God sustains the mission, purpose, and satisfaction of Christ. While the disciples were concerned about physical nourishment, Jesus was focused on spiritual purpose. Obedience to the Father was not a burden to Him but a delight.
This spirit of joyful obedience was foretold in the Scriptures. The psalmist prophetically expressed the attitude of the Messiah: “I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8). Christ did not reluctantly obey the Father; He embraced the Father’s will with gladness. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently affirmed that His mission was to carry out the Father’s purpose. He declared, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). The will of the Father was therefore the governing principle of Christ’s life.
Yet Scripture also reveals that submission to the will of God is not always easy. Sometimes obedience requires deep surrender and painful sacrifice. The most dramatic example of this truth occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane. As the hour of His suffering approached, Jesus faced the full weight of the cross that awaited Him. The agony of betrayal, rejection, humiliation, and crucifixion stood before Him. In that moment of intense spiritual struggle, He prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).
This prayer reveals the profound depth of Christ’s submission. His humanity recoiled from the suffering that lay ahead, yet His commitment to the Father’s will remained unshaken. Ultimately, the Father’s will prevailed over personal desire. The writer of Hebrews later reflected on this aspect of Christ’s obedience, stating, “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). Christ’s obedience reached its climax at the cross, where He humbled Himself completely and submitted to the Father’s plan of redemption. As Philippians 2:8 declares, “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
The result of Christ’s submission was not defeat but divine victory. Through His obedience, the great work of redemption was accomplished. The apostle Paul explains that “by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). Christ’s obedience opened the way for humanity to be reconciled to God. Through the cross, peace was established between God and sinful humanity, as Colossians 1:20 teaches that God reconciled all things to Himself through the blood of Christ’s cross.
Because Christ fully submitted to the will of the Father, God also exalted Him. The pathway of obedience ultimately led to glory. Scripture declares, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9–10). What appeared to be humiliation and defeat in the eyes of the world became the very means through which Christ triumphed over the powers of darkness. Through the cross He disarmed the forces of evil and secured victory for His people (Colossians 2:14–15).
The life of Christ therefore establishes a powerful pattern for every believer. His submission to the Father’s will is not merely an example to admire but a model to follow. Jesus Himself made it clear that entrance into the kingdom of heaven is closely connected with obedience to the Father’s will. In Matthew 7:21, He warned, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Mere profession of faith is not enough; genuine discipleship involves a life that is surrendered to the will of God.
For believers today, this principle must influence every area of life. The supremacy of God’s will should guide our daily decisions and choices. When making decisions about career or life direction, believers are encouraged to trust the Lord for guidance. Proverbs 3:5–6 instructs us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not rely on our own understanding, promising that He will direct our paths. Likewise, James 4:15 reminds us that our plans should always be made with humble dependence on God, saying, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
The will of God must also govern decisions regarding marriage and relationships. Scripture warns believers not to enter into unequal spiritual partnerships. 2 Corinthians 6:14 instructs believers not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. Marriage is not merely a social arrangement; it is a relationship that should align with the spiritual purposes of God. Proverbs 19:14 further reminds us that while houses and wealth may be inherited, a prudent spouse is a gift from the Lord.
God’s will also extends to the daily conduct and character of believers. The apostle Paul declares in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” God’s desire for His people is that they live lives marked by holiness and purity. Similarly, 1 Peter 1:15–16 calls believers to reflect the holiness of God in all aspects of their conduct. Obedience to God’s will therefore shapes not only major life decisions but also everyday attitudes, habits, and behaviors.
Furthermore, believers must seek God’s will regarding their service in His work. The apostle Paul urges Christians in Romans 12:1–2 to present their bodies as living sacrifices to God, allowing their minds to be renewed so they can discern His good, acceptable, and perfect will. Each believer has a unique role within the body of Christ, and 1 Corinthians 12:18 reminds us that God has placed every member in the body just as He pleased.
Scripture also emphasizes the lasting benefits of doing the will of God. First, it secures speedy answers to prayers (John 15:7; 1 John 3:22). Secondly, obedience to the Father’s will guarantees God’s abiding presence and power (John 8:29; 14:23). Those who live in obedience to the Father’s will participate in blessings that extend far beyond this present world. Jesus taught in Matthew 7:21 that those who do the will of the Father will enter the kingdom of heaven.
The apostle John further highlights the enduring nature of obedience when he writes, “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).
This verse presents a striking contrast between the temporary nature of the world and the eternal value of obedience to God. The pleasures, ambitions, and achievements of this world are fleeting. Wealth fades, fame disappears, and earthly accomplishments eventually vanish. But the person who lives in obedience to God’s will participates in what is eternal.
Ultimately, the life of Christ demonstrates that the Father’s will must reign supreme. For Jesus, the Father’s will was His daily nourishment, His painful surrender, and His pathway to victory. The same principle must guide the life of every believer today.
In a world that constantly encourages people to pursue personal desires and ambitions, the Christian is called to a higher priority–the pursuit of the will of God. Those who choose this path discover that while the world passes away, the one who does the will of God abides forever.
…Delivered during the Sunday Scripture Class at the OLD TIME POWER CHURCH on March 29, 2026. Subscribe to our Youtube & WhatsApp channels @Oldtimepowerchurch, follow us on Facebook.com/Old Time Power Church, and visit our site: oldtimepowerchurch.org
