Christians set aside the weeks leading to Easter for reflection and preparation.  We take extra time to read Scripture, to pray, to worship.  We may "give up" some habit or enjoyment as a form of sacrifice.  The point to all this is to see more clearly the central meaning of Jesus' mission: the cross, the grave, the empty tomb.  Often we focus on the obedience of Jesus to the Father's will.  And it is true that Jesus submitted to that will and was fully obedient.  I am afraid, though, that sometimes we see this idea of "obedience" in too shallow a way.  What Jesus did came from much more than obligation or compliance with the rules.

In his book, Surrender to Love, David Benner speaks of the wonder of God's love for us and the powerful impact that love makes on how we live.  He insists we need to keep that loving connection to the Father in view if we are to have any hope of making sense out of life or discipleship.  Benner writes, "Christian obedience should always be based on surrender to a person, not simply acceptance of an obligation.  It is surrender to love, not submission to duty."  Is he splitting hairs?  I don't think so.  God sent the requirements of his law through a messenger named Moses.  But God could only communicate his love for us and desire that we live in that love through his Son, named Jesus.  Knowing what God wants and knowing God are two very different undertakings.  In these weeks before Easter, I encourage you to look all the way into God's heart, to see and feel the overwhelming love he has for you.

Bask in that love, as if you were on a Florida beach in winter.  Let it wash over you and sink in, until you find it impossible to think about being anywhere else.  Then make you decision about what to do and what not to do.  Love will draw from you a life of willing surrender that will leave dutiful obedience far behind.  And that is what God is hoping you discover.