Listen carefully, obey completely and trust unfailingly

John 15:29-31

“I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.  I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming.  He has not hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my father has commanded me.  Come now, let us leave.” NIV

Christ is preparing the disciples for His crucifixion and His resurrection.  I don’t think that they understand everything that is to come, and at this point, I don’t think that they are meant to.  Christ tells them of the plan so that when it occurs, they will know that He knew exactly what was to come.

I came to this verse as I continue to search The Message translation for listings of the word, “worry.”  The Message translates this passage, “I’ve told you this ahead of time, before it happens, so that when it does happen, the confirmation will deepen your belief in me. I’ll not be talking with you much more like this because the chief of this godless world is about to attack. But don’t worry—he has nothing on me, no claim on me. But so the world might know how thoroughly I love the Father, I am carrying out my Father’s instructions right down to the last detail. Get up. Let’s go. It’s time to leave here.” MSG

I do exactly what my Father has commanded me …

Christ modeled both careful listening and complete obedience to God.

There’s a lot there to ponder.

Listen carefully … obey completely … trust unfailingly … don’t worry … don’t doubt.

I’ll have to think about that today.