He Stood Alone In Obedience To God

He Stood Alone in Obedience to God

Building the ark required careful planning and engineering as well as a century or so of sweat. There is no biblical evidence that Noah received any help in the work of building the ark. He worked alone, day after day, building the ark and warning the people of the judgment to come: “It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

Noah’s life was shaped by his certainty that judgment was coming. And because of this certainty, he was willing to be counted a fool, willing to stand alone in his obedience to God.

The ministry of Jesus was also shaped by his certainty that judgment was coming. In fact, he described the time when he will appear to judge the earth in terms of Noah’s times:

When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. (Matthew 24:37-39)

Like Noah, Jesus stood alone in obedience to God, warning of the coming judgment. But rather than condemning the world through his obedience, Jesus saved the world through his obedience. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17).

Noah’s whole family was saved with him—not because of their own righteousness, but because of their connection to Noah. Likewise, those who will be saved in the coming judgment against sin will be saved solely by their connection to Jesus.

Jesus, even as you were doing your saving work, voices called out to mock you. Yet you did all God required to provide safe passage for me through the storm of judgment to come. I am safe, not because of my obedience—but because of yours.