Monday: Jesus and the Father
Daily Lesson for Monday 9th of December 2024
We were created by the Godhead for a personal relationship with Them (Genesis 1:26-27). Yet, because of sin, that relationship was radically disrupted. We can see the immediate impact of this disruption in the Garden of Eden story.
Read Genesis 3:7-9. How does this reveal the breach that sin caused, and what does it mean that it was God seeking them out, not vice versa?
Image © Darrel Tank at Goodsalt.com
The intention of the Godhead was to offer healing to all humanity for that breach caused by sin, even if all humanity would not accept what They offered.
To accomplish the restoration of this relationship, one Member of the Godhead became human. Thus, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, manifesting the glory of God (John 1:14-18). As a result, humanity has received His fullness and grace. This is what Jesus came to share, to declare the glory of God so that the relationship broken by sin might be restored, at least to all who were willing to accept by faith what has been offered them in Christ Jesus.
What wonderful hope is seen for us in these texts? John 1:1-2; John 5:16-18; John 6:69; John 10:10,30; John 20:28.
“In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 530. Yet, as the incarnate Son who had “emptied himself” (Philippians 2:7, RSV) of the exercise of His prerogatives, Christ, speaking of His existence on earth as a man among men, could refer to His possession of life as a gift from God. “The divinity of Christ is the believer’s assurance of eternal life.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 530.
God was not recognized by humanity (John 17:25). Thus, He sent His only Son (John 9:4, John 16:5) in order that He, the Father, might be known.
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In the context of the cosmos, an atheist wrote, “In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.” What does the Bible teach, which shows just how wrong this man is? |
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The "incarnation" is a big theological word that we like to hide behind. I remember when I was doing my research in computer science, we had a bright new idea that we thought needed a new name. We called it "Congeries" and used to write lots of papers about it. It is a bit like that with "incarnation"; lots of explanations.
God became human. Here is a simple illustration that I hope helps. When I first started teaching with my BSc (hons) (London University) and Dip Teach (Avondale), I thought I was the "ants pants" of teaching. I had all this wonderful science in my head, and all this teaching theory to put into practice. It took me too long to learn, that thinking I was the fount of all knowledge for my students was not a good starting point. My teaching improved considerably when I took on a student role, thinking like a student, and learning with them. It was my identification with my students that helped my teaching.
I know it is not a perfect illustration. God knew from the start that the best way to get this salvation idea across was to identify with his created humans; to walk where we walk, to suffer like we suffer, to enjoy what we enjoy. The really unique idea about the Christian idea of deity is that God identifies with us. He didn't just throw us a rope and say "Save yourselves!" He identifies with us in the salvation process.
And that identification process should inform our approach to spreading the Gospel. We sometimes think of ourselves as the fount of knowledge and try to teach others from the outside with a torrent of words and arguments. We need to identify with those we are trying to reach. We too are learners in this Gospel. When we understand that idea God can use us.
wonderful illustration as a learner. God Bless you, Mr Ashton.
The name “Jesus” has a profound meaning in Hebrew, Yeshua, which means "Yahweh is salvation" or "The Lord saves". This highlights Jesus' mission to save humanity from sin (Matthew 1:21: “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”). The name emphasizes Jesus' role as the Savior and the fulfillment of God’s plan of redemption. It is important to note how the Father and the Son (Jesus) are working with a purpose of unity to save mankind. When the Eternal Son of God became Jesus, it was an act of complete obedience and humility. “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”( Philippians 2:6-7).
It is worthwhile to emphasise how pleased and jubilant was the Father when his Eternal Son became Jesus in saving mankind. For the Bible declares that “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Act 4:12). Therefore, for this very act of saving mankind, God the Father exalted Jesus above all names in heaven and on earth. The exaltation of Jesus’ name glorifies God the Father (Philippians 2:11). When people honour Jesus, they honour the Father who sent Him.
"Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."- Philippians 2:9-11.
It brings complete joy and comfort to believe in Jesus in whom the Father has invested all authority for mankind to live a righteous life. "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness." (2 Peter 1:3). Thank you, Jesus, for coming down to the earth that you created to save me.
Jesus came to save the whole world because God entitled everyone to salvation. But the most important thing is that Jesus came to save me from myself! That should be enough.
The fact that when man sin, God did not wait for man to find his way back to God but that God came looking for man is very comforting!!!
I can rest assured that, as long as I am open to receiving Him, there is no height or depth, principality or power that can separate me or you from the Love of God through Christ Jesus!!!
It is not that difficult in conversing with people to detect whether they carry a lot of anger and discontent or whether they are kind and loving carrying the characteristics of their heavenly Father. We attended a children's piano recital last evening and commented that some kids just seemed to have music in them. In families we like to point out the ones that look alike. The perfect example of perfect likeness to me is that of God the Father and Jesus.
We talk of the awesome relationship between the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Somehow though the great Covenant of Redemption between the Father and the Son is almost never cited or referred to among us.
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.” (Jn 6:38,39).
Christ had indicated that He had no problem with those who were actually beholding Him and not believing in Him. He was confident that all that His Father had given Him would come to believe in Him (Jn 6:35-37). He confirmed this fact detailing the covenant of redemption forged in the eternal counsel before the foundation of the world. In v40 we have the same will broadcast as the covenant of grace to all peoples.
We know and are sure that God “works all things after the counsel of His will”. (Eph 1:11). God’s purposes cannot be thwarted.
My thoughts focus on three quotes"
From Ellen White’s ‘Desire of Ages’ - “The divinity of Christ is the believer’s assurance of eternal life.”
John 6:68 – ”Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.”
John 17:25 – ”O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.”
As believers, contrary to the atheist, we are wholeheartedly convinced that 'In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there IS a hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.'
The miracle of our Creator’s Love, applying His Justice perfectly balanced with His Mercy and Grace, provides the help mankind needs so desperately to return to Him to again call Him Abba – Father! This is not just an endearing term, it expresses that we are His spiritual children and part of His Family.
John 6:64-66 - Instead of judging those not part of the family of God, one can ask: "what can I do to prevent the ‘falling away’ of those having once been close?" or "how best can I reach out to those being misdirected by other, strong influences?" - and God will hear His children's prayers through Jesus Christ, His Son.