Like the Father
Often you will hear someone say, "He looks just like his father, he even talks like him." They are referring to a family resemblance, which happens more in some than others. At this critical point in Jesus' journey, he begins to reveal who is his true family in heaven. He says, "whoever believes in me believes in the one who sent me, who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me."
Then, if it is not clear what he is referring to he further elaborates, "For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me."
This is his clearest teaching revealing his relationship with God the Father, the first person of the Trinity. So what can this teach us?
1. Jesus the Son, had a relationship with God the Father before he was sent to earth.
2. It is a personal relationship as he calls him "father". And in another passage he prays, "abba Father" an even more intimate way of addressing him.
3. Everything Jesus did was a reflection of what the Father wanted him to do. So to observe his life, his teaching, and his eventual death and resurrection is to see God's will and desire for the world. And how God desires a personal relationship with us.
4. Finally, who ever believes in Jesus believes in the Father, and this belief leads to eternal life. For instance when you say, "I believe in Jesus" you are saying you believe in the one true God.
That is why Jesus lived the greatest life anyone ever lived. He showed us the way to the Father, and as we trust in His words, we will never lack anything in this life or the world to come!
John 12:44-50
44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”
Then, if it is not clear what he is referring to he further elaborates, "For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me."
This is his clearest teaching revealing his relationship with God the Father, the first person of the Trinity. So what can this teach us?
1. Jesus the Son, had a relationship with God the Father before he was sent to earth.
2. It is a personal relationship as he calls him "father". And in another passage he prays, "abba Father" an even more intimate way of addressing him.
3. Everything Jesus did was a reflection of what the Father wanted him to do. So to observe his life, his teaching, and his eventual death and resurrection is to see God's will and desire for the world. And how God desires a personal relationship with us.
4. Finally, who ever believes in Jesus believes in the Father, and this belief leads to eternal life. For instance when you say, "I believe in Jesus" you are saying you believe in the one true God.
That is why Jesus lived the greatest life anyone ever lived. He showed us the way to the Father, and as we trust in His words, we will never lack anything in this life or the world to come!
John 12:44-50
44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”
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