The boss calls you into his office. He begins to explain bullet point descriptions of a new job he would like for you to do for his company. You are elated that he chose you. You are full of joy at the prospect of using your talents for this challenging work. But after you leave the office, the huge responsibilities of the work begin to sink into your consciousness. How will you implement the changes that will have to be made to accomplish the mission you have just been given?
Did Jesus feel this way, even though He knew God’s Plan to save us from the beginning of creation? Is this why Jesus went first to the Father before saying or doing anything of significance as the Son of Man while on earth? He was not weak! He had all the resources of heaven at his disposal as the Son of God. But Jesus wanted to do exactly what the Father wanted him to do and how to do it. Jesus was driven by God’s Will.
John, later in his gospel explains why Jesus always went to the Father for direction in the mission God gave Jesus to accomplish for our ultimate salvation: (John 5, The Message)
19-20 So Jesus explained himself at length. “I’m telling you this straight. The Son can’t independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing. What the Father does, the Son does. The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing.
20-23 “But you haven’t seen the half of it yet, for in the same way that the Father raises the dead and creates life, so does the Son. The Son gives life to anyone he chooses. Neither he nor the Father shuts anyone out. The Father handed all authority to judge over to the Son so that the Son will be honored equally with the Father. Anyone who dishonors the Son, dishonors the Father, for it was the Father’s decision to put the Son in the place of honor.What a great example for us! If Jesus Christ, Son of God, asks for direction and clarity, then who are we to think we can do life without checking in with God, our Father?
The Apostle Paul, who wanted to be and do all that pleases Jesus, Son of God, writes this challenge to the church (us);
“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen”. (Ephesians 3:14-21)
My thoughts today are “camping out” on what John the Baptizer tells his followers about Jesus,
“For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands.”
EVERYTHING is in Jesus’ hands. The mission to save the world is in Jesus’ hands. The characteristics of behaviors that please God are displayed perfectly in the life of His Son, Jesus. The ability to take a group of young fishermen, tax collectors and others and teach them to tell God’s story of redemption was all in Jesus’ hands. All power and authority is given to Jesus from God the Father. And what does Jesus do first? He gets alone often, as a habit, to pray, asking the Father for what to say and do.Want to please God? Ask for wisdom, direction, clarity, words to say and what to do at the right time in the right Spirit for His glory, honor and praise. He will give it just like He gave it to Jesus! God gave direction to Paul, Peter and all the rest of those dedicated to tell God’s Story in order to help people find and follow Jesus…In Jesus Name.
How do we know they did? I am one who believes all because God placed everything in Jesus Hands who passed on to his disciples who passed it on to others to tell how to be saved. (See 2 Timothy 2:2!)
Now we are the ones who continue to tell the story of salvation…in Jesus Name. We are the ones who must go to the Father daily, hourly if necessary to hear God speak to us and then do what He tells us to do and say.
John – God Speaks!
John 3, New Living Translation
John the Baptist Exalts Jesus
22 Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people.
23 At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. 24 (This was before John was thrown into prison.) 25 A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. 26 So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.”
27 John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. 28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ 29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.31 “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. 32 He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! 33 Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. 34 For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. 36 And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”
What a testimony to Who Jesus is and Why He came!
Dear Heavenly Father,
You take us on a new journey of thought every time we come into Your Word and listen to Your Holy Spirit speak to us. We indeed need you every hour of every day. Teach us to do your will. Help us to make the most of every opportunity to tell your story, in Jesus’ Name to help others know you and follow you, too. I love you, Lord with all my heart, mind and soul.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna with Our Mugs 