Relational Disciplines (2)

For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that isnot put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus…Hebrews 2.8, 9

Sent like Jesus
Jesus Christ came among us in order to bring near the Kingdom of God. This was His first and consistent message, and the reality of this new and heavenly realm could be seen in all His works. Jesus preached, taught, and lived a new Kingdom, a Kingdom not of this world, a Kingdom expressive of the love God has for all He has made (Jn. 3.16).

Jesus told His followers, and us through them, that in the same way He had been sent to the world, He is sending each one of us (Jn. 20.21). As followers of Christ, therefore, our primary purpose for being here is to advance the rule of love on earth as it is in heaven. Christians are the advance guard of a Kingdom that is coming on earth, growing like a great mountain (Dan. 2.44, 45), and bringing righteousness, peace, and joy to the world (Is. 9.6, 7; Rom. 14.17, 18).

And the vehicle by which this Kingdom makes progress is for us, as it was for Jesus, love.

Thus, it stands to reason that, by keeping Jesus before our minds, we might improve daily in becoming more like Him by disciplining our words and deeds to express and fulfill this glorious Kingdom calling. And this means “seeing” Jesus as He was during His incarnation, as He is even now at the right hand of God, and as He will be when He returns to establish His Kingdom in its full glory and splendor.

Jesus incarnate
God the Father has appointed the followers of His Son to bring the whole world under the sway of His rule of love. The writer of Hebrews summarized this high and holy calling by citing Psalm 8, reminding his readers that God has “put all things in subjection” to His chosen and redeemed people. But in that day, as in ours, not all things had yet been brought into subjection to the rule of divine love. So what can we do?

“But we see Jesus,” the writer reminds us, and seeing Jesus is foundational to mastering all relational disciplines – indeed, all the disciplines of the disciplined life. We must see Jesus as He walked among us by paying special attention to the reports of the four evangelists – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The gospels deserve repeated reading and meditation if we are to fix in our minds the love that Jesus spoke and showed during His sojourn among us.

As we meditate and study Christ in His incarnation we will see love in action, seeking the lost, serving those in need, shepherding the souls of His followers, sowing the Word of truth, and doing all things to bring honor and glory to His Father and ours. Read daily in the gospels. Meditate deeply on the example of Jesus’ love. Think ahead to the day before you and the opportunities for seeking, serving, shepherding, sowing, and stewarding your time and resources in ways consistent with the love of Jesus Christ. Then prepare to go into your day, sent as Jesus was sent, to advance the rule of divine love.

Jesus exalted
But look also to Jesus in His exaltation, to see the love of God emanating from Him in beauty, splendor, power, majesty, dignity, and faithfulness. Look to such Psalms as 2, 45, 47, 93, 99, and 110, and to the book of Revelation, to flesh out a vision of Jesus exalted. See what love looks like resplendent in glory, as He presents Himself in true dignity and holiness; as He “rides out” each day in truth, meekness, and righteousness; as He sends His angels to assist us in seeking and advancing His rule of love; as He equips and sends His people to refresh the world with His grace and truth; and as He receives in glory and jubilation those faithful followers whose term on earth has been completed.

As you meditate on Jesus exalted, let those works of seeking, serving, shepherding, sowing, and stewarding be bathed in the radiance of His majesty, dignity, and power, and you’ll begin to know His love more truly and consistently in all your words and deeds.

Jesus returning
Finally, see Jesus in His coming again, when we will see Him face to face, and be like Him (1 Jn. 3.1-3). See His bright eyes, that see through to the need of every soul; the many crowns indicating His rule over all nations; His blood-stained robe, the emblem of His selflessness; and the Word of truth flashing from His mouth (Rev. 19.11-16). See Him coming in righteousness and judgment, King of kings and Lord of lords, and let this mighty, ultimate portrait of our loving Savior inform your obedience to Him day by day.

No, we do not yet see all things in subjection to the rule of love. But we are called to seek that Kingdom and to advance it daily, and while our outward circumstances are changeable and can be disappointing, Jesus never is or ever will. Look to Jesus. Concentrate on Him. Fix the vision of Jesus in your mind and let the love of Jesus fill your heart, and you will go forth with Him each day, conquering and to conquer in love (Rev. 6.1, 2).

Next steps: How can you better practice meditating on Jesus in His incarnation, exaltation, and return? Ask a church leader or pastor to help you work out this spiritual discipline so as the better to shaper your relational disciplines in the love of Christ.

T. M. Moore

This week’s study, Relational Disciplines, is part 4 of a 7-part series on The Disciplined Life, and is available as a free download by clicking here. We have prepared a special worksheet to help you begin getting your disciplines in proper shape for seeking the Kingdom. Write to T. M. at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for you free PDF of the “Disciplined Life Worksheet.”

A rightly-disciplined life requires a Kingdom vision, and that vision is centered on Jesus Christ exalted. T. M. has prepared a series of meditations on the glorious vision of Christ, based on Scripture and insights from the Celtic Christian tradition. Order your copy of Be Thou My Vision by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.