Divine Motivation - Part 1

.... In the previous segment of this module we discussed the eternal perspective of Christ, which always kept the Day of Judgment in view. The supreme intention behind every one of Jesus’ commandments was that we may stand before Him on that day:

.... "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

(Luke 21:36)

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.... The counterpart to intention is motivation, and Divine Motivation is our third and final precept for understanding the subjectivity of Jesus.

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.... Jesus always displayed two great motivations of the heart. First was His supreme devotion to the Father, and second was His love for mankind. Everything He said or did may be traced to these two motives – which happen to be mirrored in the two great commandments of the law:

.... "Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment. ‘And the second, like it, is this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these.’"

(Mark 12:29-31)

.... Here is the motive behind every Scripture, and the passion to unite affinity with the crisp, clear intention of the mind. To the one who fully comprehends this, Jesus would say: "You are not far from the kingdom of God." (Matthew 22:40; Mark 12:32-34; Luke 17:21; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

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.... But to say that Jesus has two great motivations is not to say they are equal. Like the first commandment, His love for the Father is supreme: "But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do." (John 14:31; 8:29). There is an eternal bond of loving devotion between them:

.... "Behold, My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights!"

.... "I delight to do Your will, O My God, and Your law is within My heart!"

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(Isaiah 42:1; Psalm 40:8)

.... Jesus’ love for the Father is such that He always seeks to glorify Him (John 7:18; Philippians 2:3-5), and this is where our third precept (Divine Motivation) relates to the second (eternal perspective).

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... Love is the motive through which Jesus works, and the Father’s glory is the goal He always works toward. With an eye toward eternity, Jesus gave fullest credit to the Father in character, doctrine, and deed (Matthew 19:17; John 14:10).

.... ". . .I have put My Spirit upon Him . . ."

.... "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me . . . that He may be glorified."

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(Isaiah 42:1; 61:1-3)

This discussion will be continued in the next lesson.

To proceed, click here

Daily Bible Reading:

Now that you’ve finished reading the four gospels, Jesus would have shown you how His sufferings and glory fulfilled the Old Testament’s prophecy (Luke 24:27, 44-45). To offer something as similar as possible, a special break-out module has been prepared: The Sufferings and the Glory. For today, please read the Chapter 3 Introduction and Chapter 3 itself, in this module.

(Important: please read the special notes on the sinless nature of Christ, through the hyperlink at the end of the Chapter 3 Introduction.)