11.3 Knowing the Son Means Knowing the Father
Jesus: The Way to the Father and Revealer of His Will

The Gospel of John reveals to us a central truth of the Christian faith: Through Jesus Christ, the Father becomes visible. Jesus is not only the mediator between God and humanity but also the living revelation of the Father. His words, actions, and entire life disclose the character and will of the Father (John 1:18).

1. Jesus as the Representative of the Father

Jesus came to fulfill the Father’s will and subjected Himself to Him in complete obedience (John 5:30). This dedication not only reveals who God is but also shows us how to live in a relationship with Him: in trust, love, and obedience. Jesus’ words and works reflect the unity between Him and the Father, allowing us to recognize the nature of the Father in the Son.

2. The Sending of Jesus by the Father

Jesus explained that He was sent by the Father to save humanity and grant eternal life (John 6:40). This demonstrates that the Father is actively involved in human history, working to restore us to a loving relationship with Him. Jesus’ mission embodies God’s love and His plan of salvation for the world.

3. The Way to the Father Is Through the Son

Jesus emphasized that He is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). This means that by knowing Jesus, we not only understand the character of God but also have the opportunity to enter into a living fellowship with Him. The Son makes the Father accessible and shows that God’s deepest desire is to have us with Him.

4. Eternal Life in Jesus

The Father’s will is that people have eternal life in Jesus and will be in God’s presence at the resurrection (John 6:40). This shows that God’s plan is not limited to the here and now but has an eternal dimension. In Jesus, the relationship with the Father is not only restored but also secured into eternity.

What Do the Following Verses Teach Us About the Relationship Between Jesus and the Father? John 7:16; 8:38; 14:10,23; 15:1,9–10; 16:27–28; 17:3

The specified verses in the Gospel of John provide us with deep insights into the unique and intimate relationship between Jesus and the Father. Here is a reflection on what these verses teach about this relationship:

1. John 7:16

“My teaching is not my own, but that of the one who sent me.”

• Teaching: Jesus makes it clear that everything He teaches comes from the Father. His teaching is not self-derived but is delivered as the one who has been authorized and sent by the Father.

• Relationship: This demonstrates Jesus’ dependence on the Father and the unity in their plan.

2. John 8:38

“I speak what I have seen in the presence of the Father.”

• Teaching: Jesus directly conveys what He has received from the Father. His words and actions are a direct revelation of the Father.

• Relationship: This statement underscores Jesus’ closeness to the Father and His role as the Revealer of God.

3. John 14:10,23

• “The words I speak to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”

• “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”

• Teaching: The unity of words and works between Jesus and the Father becomes evident. The Father acts through the Son, and love for Jesus leads to fellowship with the Father.

• Relationship: These verses emphasize the complete harmony and unity between Jesus and the Father, both in their actions and in their relationship with believers.

4. John 15:1,9–10

• “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.”

• “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Remain in my love.”

• Teaching: The relationship between Jesus and the Father is like that of a vine and a gardener—an inseparable connection that sustains life and fruitfulness. The love between the Father and the Son is the model for Jesus’ love for His followers.

• Relationship: This illustrates the ongoing, nurturing, and creative unity between Jesus and the Father.

5. John 16:27–28

“The Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world; now I am leaving the world and returning to the Father.”

• Teaching: The Father’s love for believers is directly tied to their relationship with Jesus. Jesus’ coming from and return to the Father highlights His divine origin and mission.

• Relationship: The Father and the Son are deeply connected, not only in origin but also in their mission for humanity.

6. John 17:3

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

• Teaching: Eternal life consists in knowing the Father through the Son. Jesus is the only way to know the Father.

• Relationship: This underscores Jesus’ central role as mediator between God and humanity—He reveals the Father and makes Him accessible.

Summary

1. Unity in Teaching and Action: Everything Jesus says and does comes from the Father. They act in perfect unity.

2. Perfect Love: The relationship between Jesus and the Father is characterized by love, which is reflected in their love for believers.

3. Fellowship with Believers: The closeness between Jesus and the Father is the foundation of the relationship between God and believers.

4. Mission and Origin: Jesus was sent by the Father to save the world and returns to Him.

5. Revelation of the Father: Jesus reveals the character, will, and love of the Father.

How Would Your Life Change If Your Thinking and Actions Fully Reflected God’s Will for Your Life?

That is, how can we better live out what we know of God’s will for our lives through Jesus?

If our thinking and actions were a complete expression of God’s will, our lives would change in fundamental ways. We would live in close alignment with God’s plan for us, which would be reflected in several aspects of our lives:

1. A Life Full of Love and Compassion

• Change: We would love other people as God loves us, and our actions would be characterized by compassion, forgiveness, and kindness. Conflicts would arise less from pride or selfishness and would be resolved through forgiveness and reconciliation.

• How We Can Live It Out:

  • Remind ourselves daily of how Jesus has loved us and actively pass this love on to others (John 13:34).

  • Make a conscious decision to forgo resentment and revenge.

2. A Life Full of Peace and Trust

• Change: Worries and fears would take up less space because we fully trust God. We would know that He has control, even in difficult situations.

• How We Can Live It Out:

  • Internalize God’s promises through prayer and Bible study (Philippians 4:6–7).

  • Practically: Consciously lay our worries in prayer and remind ourselves that God cares for us.

3. A Life of Service and Humility

• Change: We would no longer place ourselves at the center but would humbly serve God and others, just as Jesus exemplified (John 13:14–15). Our relationships would be characterized not by the pursuit of power but by genuine fellowship.

• How We Can Live It Out:

  • Deliberately help others selflessly and do not expect recognition or compensation.

  • Remind ourselves daily that true greatness lies in serving.

4. A Life Full of Clarity and Purpose

• Change: Decisions would become easier because they would no longer be based on our own desires but on what God wants. Our lives would have a clear direction and a deeper meaning.

• How We Can Live It Out:

  • Seek God’s will through prayer and biblical principles before making decisions.

  • Regularly reflect on whether our goals align with God’s plan.

5. A Life in Fellowship with God

• Change: Our relationship with God would become more intimate and deeper, as our thinking and actions would constantly be shaped by His presence. We would live in a state of continual prayer and connection with Him (John 15:5).

• How We Can Live It Out:

  • Prioritize time for God, whether through prayer, Bible study, or quiet times.

  • Consciously seek His presence in moments of challenge or joy.

6. A Life That Inspires Others

• Change: Our example would encourage others to also live according to God’s will. Our words and actions would bring hope and light into the world (Matthew 5:16).

• How We Can Live It Out:

  • Speak openly and honestly about our faith and make God’s love visible through our actions.

  • Demonstrate patience, peace, and faith in difficult situations.

Practical Steps to Better Live Out God’s Will

1. Study God’s Word: Regularly read the Bible to recognize God’s will.

2. Seek in Prayer: Ask God daily how we can reflect Him in our thinking and actions.

3. Maintain Fellowship: Gather with other believers to be strengthened in faith.

4. Practice Obedience: Take even small opportunities to implement God’s will in daily life.

5. Listen to the Holy Spirit: Consciously pause and follow the impulses of the Spirit.

Closing Thought

If our lives become a reflection of God’s will, we experience deep joy, peace, and fulfillment. Following Jesus is not a theoretical exercise but a life-changing process that makes us step by step more into what God created us to be.

Live today so that your thinking and actions are a reflection of God’s love and will—in this lies peace, joy, and fulfillment.

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