THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST Devotion 6 of 12 The Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, primarily reveals the Father! His fundamental message does not pertain to human relationships or church government. Neither, indeed, does He come to deliver a moral code as the basis of our relationship to God, or to outline a missionary strategy. Prior to His death, during His final evening with His disciples, Philip sensed the focus of his Lord. He cried out, "Lord, show us THE FATHER, and it is sufficient for us." Christ's answer to him confirmed the centrality of the Father in His ministry: "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:9-10). To put it another way, Jesus brought the Father within the range of extensive human perception. THE FATHER WAS THE FOCUS OF CHRIST'S TEACHING Jesus is "GOD manifest in the flesh" (1 Tim 3:16). He is "GOD with us" (Matt 12:23). Those who see Him see "the Father" (John 14:9). Jesus declared the Father alone knew the day and the hour He would return (Mark 13:32). He said that "all things" had been given to Him by the Father (Luke 10:22). This is stated even more strongly by John. "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand" (John 3:35). A PERSPECTIVE The Gospel of John alone refers to "the Father" no less than 77 times! The words "the Son" are mentioned 35 times in the same Gospel. The words "the Father" are used 45 more times in Scripture – NEVER is that expression used in Genesis through Malachi! "My Father" is used by Jesus 50 times – 47 times in the Gospels, and 3 times in the second and third chapters of Revelation. In teaching His disciples, Jesus referred to "your Father" 21 times, and "heavenly father" 6 times. The "Father" is mentioned 76 times in Romans through Revelation. – Tomorrow:
"Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son." (2 John 8-9, NASB)
Before He returned to heaven, the Savior revealed the predominance of the Father, and of His own role in bringing men to Him. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh UNTO THE FATHER, but by Me" (John 14:6). Jesus is the way TO GOD. He is the truth OF GOD. He is the life OF GOD. His total ministry relates to our association with the Father. He has reconciled us TO GOD (Col 1:21). He is bringing us TO GOD (1 Pet 3:18). He is a "merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining TO GOD" (Heb 2:17). Elsewhere He is described as "the power OF GOD" and "the wisdom OF GOD" (1 Cor 1:24).
Those who proclaim Jesus as the "answer to your problems," have not correctly presented Him. He is the way to God, not merely the way out of your problems! In fact, the primary problem among men is their alienation from God (Eph 4:18). The history of God's people is replete with those who suffered trouble because of their faith. For many, unwavering faith meant martyrdom. For others, hard trials and extreme difficulties rushed in upon them like a flood. Jesus did not come to make the world a better place to live! Nor, indeed, did He come to introduce trouble-free living. Where that impression has been promoted, both the Father and the Son have been seriously misrepresented.
So much of the religion of our time, purporting to be "relevant," is really irrelevant in the Divine economy. You could embrace the totality of such religious systems and remain "without God and without hope in the world." But you cannot sit at the feet of Jesus without coming into acquaintance with the Living God, enjoying His salvation, and securing everlasting consolation and good hope. These are the things that really count! The Savior will bring you to the Father, effectively and joyfully. That is His ministry.
The Son is the "only begotten of the Father" (John 1:14). Faithfully, He declared that relationship, always drawing attention to the Father. Jesus summed up His glorious ministry in these words, "No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him" (John 1:18, NKJV). Peter affirms that it is "BY" Christ that we "believe in God" (1 Pet 1:21).
You catch a glimpse of the focus of Christ's ministry in these words; "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and greater works than these will He show Him, that you may marvel" (John 5:19-20, NASB). Without exception, He credited the entirety of His work to the will of the Father. He only spoke what the Father told Him to speak (John 8:28; 12:49-50), and only did what he saw the Father doing (John 5:19,30). He referred to His death and resurrection as something the Father commanded Him to do (John 10:17-18).
Jesus possessed an unwavering commitment to His Father. He faithfully did His will, proclaimed what He had said, and maintained communion with Him. Thus He set the standard for the people of God!
The point is not the Son's inferiority, but the Son's ministry! He is the way to God! He brings the words of God! He accomplishes the will of God! If, because of Jesus, we do not come into a relationship with the Father, we have gained no real benefit from Him. It is through Christ, and Christ alone, that God can realize His revealed desire: "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people" (2 Cor 6:16).
Apart from the Father, Jesus has no relevance. Apart from the Son, the Father becomes inaccessible. All believers must exercise themselves to maintain their grasp of these things.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for Your Son, who has fulfilled Your requirements, has reconciled us to Yourself, and is bringing us to glory. Grant me grace to never forget what His ministry is all about.