This writing begins with a fundamental theological question: What was the mission of the Lord Jesus’ first coming to earth? The question is not merely about the final goal of Christ’s incarnation, but about the process he underwent leading up to that mission’s fulfillment. Thus, the focus does not stop at a declarative soteriological aspect but attends to the dynamics of Christ’s obedience in carrying out the will of God the Father.
Theologically, the primary mission of the birth and coming of the Lord Jesus in Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago was to fulfill the Father’s plan to save humanity from destruction. However, the way Jesus consistently and continually lived through the process of that salvation is a very important aspect to examine and use as a basis for faith reflection.
Philippians 2:7–8 states that Christ emptied himself, taking the form of a servant and being made in the likeness of men. And in his human condition, he humbled himself and was obedient unto death, even death on a cross. This statement affirms that Christ’s’ self-emptying (kenosis) was a deliberate and conscious act, done by his own will and fully aligned with the Father’s plan. Christ was not a party “conditioned” or “forced” to humble Himself; rather, He actively chose to empty Himself.
Thus, obedience to the will of God cannot be understood as automatic, spontaneous, or unconscious. True obedience is born from a process of hearing the truth, understanding it, and consciously following it with concrete action. In this context, Christ’s self-emptying becomes the apex expression of his obedience. Christ consciously took on the form of a servant and became like a human being as part of the process of learning obedience to the Father.
Obedience, therefore, cannot be reduced to mere verbal statements, promises, or normative commitments. Obedience must be verified by concrete and comprehensive action in a person’s life. The parent-child relational analogy reinforces this: a child’s obedience is not measured by verbal assent alone but by the concrete execution of the commands given. Likewise, Christ’s obedience to the Father is fully expressed through his self-emptying, which is an integral and inseparable part of his entire life and ministry.
Hebrews 1:3a states that Christ is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of His nature. This christological statement does not point to a status granted automatically or merely by genealogical relation. The Father does not act by nepotism or relational privilege. Christ becomes the radiance of God’s’glory and the image of God precisely because of his total and unconditional obedience to the Father. In all his words and deeds, Christ continually conformed Himself to the Father’s will and fully entrusted His life to Him.
The implications of this truth do not stop with Christ alone but also apply to his followers. If Christ is the radiance of God’s glory, his disciples are called to live a similar pattern of life within their own contexts. Paul affirms this principle in 1 Corinthians 10:31, which states that every aspect of life—whether eating, drinking, or any other activity—should be directed to the glory of God. Thus, obedience to the Father must be manifested in the whole behavior of believers. A life of obedience is not one fragmented between the sacred and the profane, but a life wholly aligned with God’s word in every aspect of existence.