Jesus Reveals the Father
Hebrews 1:1-3 - "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." (NIV)
John 1:14, 18 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known." (NIV)
John 1:38-39 - "Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, 'What do you want?' They said, 'Rabbi' (which means Teacher), 'where are you staying?' 'Come,' he replied, 'and you will see.' So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour." (NIV)
John 5:19-20 - "Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these." (NIV)
John 11:35 - "Jesus wept." (NIV)
John 13:3-5 - "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." (NIV)
John 14:23 - "Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'" (NIV)
Why did Jesus come to this earth? Yes, he came to die on the cross, rise from the dead, providing a way for restoration of relationship with God. But, we often miss what Jesus was doing as he lived among us. He was showing us what the Father is like. God wanted us to know so clearly what he was like that he sent his Son in the flesh. Look at Jesus. Find the Father. For Jesus is "the exact representation of the Father." (Heb. 1:3)
How does Jesus represent the Father? Let's take a look at several character qualities of Jesus in the book of John. In John 1:35-39 we read the account of Jesus meeting his first disciples. In this initial encounter, Jesus invites the men over to his house. The Scriptures do not say what they talked about or did at Jesus' house. But, they must have had an amazing time, as Andrew immediately tells his brother, Simon, that they had found the Messiah. Jesus is very welcoming, very normal. He invites you over. Your Father is welcoming and very "down-to-earth."
Jesus' first miracle is reported in John 2. Jesus was at a wedding celebration with his mother and disciples. At this party, Jesus turned water into wine, since the host had run out of wine. Jesus kept the party going. It was at this party that Jesus chose to reveal his glory to those present in this the first of his miracles. What a place to first reveal his glory in this way! What does this say about the Father? He loves to celebrate, have fun and keep the party going.
In John 3 we see Jesus patiently teaching Nicodemus, a religious leader, about salvation. The Father is a patient teacher. After this, Jesus makes a point of meeting with a Samaritan woman - a woman that a religious teacher like Jesus should not be relating with. But, Jesus loves her and brings salvation to her. The Father pursues those on the fringe of society to bring salvation.
We read the story of the raising of Lazarus in John 11. Although Jesus knew he was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, he still wept with Lazarus' sisters, caring for them in their pain. Jesus did not scold the sisters for crying. He met them in their time of despair with his own tears. The Father cares and cries with us when we are confused and in pain. Then, at the Last Supper, we see Jesus remove his outer garment, get on his knees and wash his disciples' feet. (John 13) From this we see that the Father serves us. He is not a harsh task master. He is the first to serve, to get his hands dirty.
At the end of the book of John we read of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. But, take a moment to consider the sacrifice of the Father as his Son carried the weight of sin on himself. A father would always rather shield his son from pain, even at his own expense. But to give up his own Son for people that were rebelling against him is the highest form of sacrifice. The Father sacrifices for you.
These are only a few character qualities of your Father as seen through Jesus. Take some time to read through the Gospels looking for your Father. Look at Jesus. Find your Father.
For More Study
Thoughts and Questions for Application
Memorization
John 1:14, 18 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known." (NIV)
John 1:14, 18 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known." (NIV)
John 1:38-39 - "Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, 'What do you want?' They said, 'Rabbi' (which means Teacher), 'where are you staying?' 'Come,' he replied, 'and you will see.' So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour." (NIV)
John 5:19-20 - "Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these." (NIV)
John 11:35 - "Jesus wept." (NIV)
John 13:3-5 - "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." (NIV)
John 14:23 - "Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'" (NIV)
Why did Jesus come to this earth? Yes, he came to die on the cross, rise from the dead, providing a way for restoration of relationship with God. But, we often miss what Jesus was doing as he lived among us. He was showing us what the Father is like. God wanted us to know so clearly what he was like that he sent his Son in the flesh. Look at Jesus. Find the Father. For Jesus is "the exact representation of the Father." (Heb. 1:3)
How does Jesus represent the Father? Let's take a look at several character qualities of Jesus in the book of John. In John 1:35-39 we read the account of Jesus meeting his first disciples. In this initial encounter, Jesus invites the men over to his house. The Scriptures do not say what they talked about or did at Jesus' house. But, they must have had an amazing time, as Andrew immediately tells his brother, Simon, that they had found the Messiah. Jesus is very welcoming, very normal. He invites you over. Your Father is welcoming and very "down-to-earth."
Jesus' first miracle is reported in John 2. Jesus was at a wedding celebration with his mother and disciples. At this party, Jesus turned water into wine, since the host had run out of wine. Jesus kept the party going. It was at this party that Jesus chose to reveal his glory to those present in this the first of his miracles. What a place to first reveal his glory in this way! What does this say about the Father? He loves to celebrate, have fun and keep the party going.
In John 3 we see Jesus patiently teaching Nicodemus, a religious leader, about salvation. The Father is a patient teacher. After this, Jesus makes a point of meeting with a Samaritan woman - a woman that a religious teacher like Jesus should not be relating with. But, Jesus loves her and brings salvation to her. The Father pursues those on the fringe of society to bring salvation.
We read the story of the raising of Lazarus in John 11. Although Jesus knew he was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, he still wept with Lazarus' sisters, caring for them in their pain. Jesus did not scold the sisters for crying. He met them in their time of despair with his own tears. The Father cares and cries with us when we are confused and in pain. Then, at the Last Supper, we see Jesus remove his outer garment, get on his knees and wash his disciples' feet. (John 13) From this we see that the Father serves us. He is not a harsh task master. He is the first to serve, to get his hands dirty.
At the end of the book of John we read of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. But, take a moment to consider the sacrifice of the Father as his Son carried the weight of sin on himself. A father would always rather shield his son from pain, even at his own expense. But to give up his own Son for people that were rebelling against him is the highest form of sacrifice. The Father sacrifices for you.
These are only a few character qualities of your Father as seen through Jesus. Take some time to read through the Gospels looking for your Father. Look at Jesus. Find your Father.
For More Study
- John 1
- John 5
- John 11
- John 13
- John 14
- John 17
- John 18
Thoughts and Questions for Application
- Make a study of the Gospels. Look for character qualities of Jesus and make a note of what the Father is like.
- Does your view of the Father match up with how Jesus represents the Father?
- Spend some time meditating on the sacrifice of the Father, as his Son went to the cross.
Memorization
John 1:14, 18 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known." (NIV)
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