Divine Motivation - Part 2

.... In our previous posting, we introduced the two great motivations within the subjectivity of Christ. First and foremost was His love for the Father, which was discussed at length in that posting. But in this posting we’ll discuss His second motivation which is a sincere, sacrificial love for mankind.

.
.... In itself, Jesus’ love for man is a reflection His love for the Father, just as the second commandment is a reflection of the first (1 John 5:1). And here, too, Jesus would act on behalf of others, with never a selfish motive involved:

.... "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

(Mark 10:45)

.... When Jesus fed the 5,000, for example, the miracle was entirely unselfish in nature as the hungry multitude was the first to be fed. Afterward, He commanded the apostles and twelve baskets of fragments were taken up, of the loaves and of the fish, tahat remained. The Greek word indicates that these were small baskets, as one might carry their lunch in. At this point let’s remember that it had just been said of the apostles that ‘they did not even have time to eat,’ so that they, too, still needed to be fed (Mark 6:31,43). Thus, a meal was provided for each of them . . . but in the end, where was the meal for Jesus? His own miracle held no provision for Himself:

.... "Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work’."

(John 4:34)

.... In His supreme love for the Father, Jesus always kept an eternal perspective in view, laboring from the heart for His everlasting glory. Likewise in His love for mankind, He kept an eternal perspective in mind. For in each of our lives He labors to confirm us in the faith, "to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" as the supreme intention of His love for us all (1 Corinthians 1:8; Jude 24). He watches over His labor to complete it, to conform us to His image, that we may stand approved before Him on that Day (Romans 8:28-29; Philippians 1:6x7).

.... "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you."

(Jeremiah 31:3)

We will conclude our discussion in the next posting. To proceed to that lesson, 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 4 Introduction and Chapter 4 itself, in this module.