“In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was
with God in the beginning.” (John 1:1-2)
John the
Baptist, the forerunner to the Messiah, was sent by God to testify of ‘the
Light of men’ (Jesus Christ). He prophesied that the true light that gives
light to every man was coming into the world.” (John 1:9) The ‘WORD’ --
Kalimatu Allah (in Arabic) – in the opening scripture is none other than our
Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth who “... 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.” (John 1:14)
The Word came
from the Father because He was with the Father. Who is the Father here? the
Only True God – Jehovah, Yahweh. After the Spirit of God had revealed to John
the Baptist how he would recognise the Messiah, he declared: “I saw the Spirit
come from heaven as a dove and remain on Him. I would not have known Him,
except that the One who sent me to baptise with water told me. ‘The man on whom
you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptise with the Holy
Spirit.’ I have seen and testify that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:32-34)
As Jesus was coming out of the water
at His baptism – a custom all Jewish lads observed -- something miraculous
happened: John the Baptist saw heaven being torn open and the spirit descending
on Jesus as a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love;
with You I am well pleased.’ ” (Mark 1:10-11)
The second
time we hear this voice testify to the identity of Jesus would be at the Mount
of Transfiguration where He (Jesus) was in the company of Moses (representing
the Law) and Elijah (representing the Prophets) along with three of his
disciples. “His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the
light.” (Matthew 17:2) There a voice from the cloud was clearly heard saying:
“This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him.”
(Matthew 17:5b)
Thus, God
endorses His own Son, putting the stamp of authority on Him. By this, He
confirms what is reported in the Book of Hebrews: “In the past God spoke to our
forefathers through the prophets at many times and in many ways, but in these
last days He has spoken through 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.” (Hebrews 1:1-3a)
My Father
In the New Testament, Jesus
acknowledges Himself as Son. Once He was with Joseph and Mary (his parents) on
a trip to Jerusalem, but on the return journey they lost sight of Him. When
they later found Him in the Temple after a three-day search, His mother scolded
Him. “...for they have been anxiously searching for Him.” “Why were you searching for me,” He asked,
“didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49)
One day, Jesus went into the Temple
to find the merchants were trading on the premises; selling rams, goats and
doves for the prescribed sacrifices. They were also changing money for profit.
With holy anger, He drove them out of the temple. After overturning their
tables, He rebuked them: “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s
house into a market!” (John 2:10)
All through
His ministry, He underlined the connection with His Father from whom He took
directives. “He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you
hear are not my own, they belong to the Father who sent me.” (John 14:24) “I
did tell you but you did not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name
speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep
listen to my voice ..... My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than
all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hands.” (John 10:25-26, 28)
Jesus taught
us to say Our Father
When our Lord Jesus introduced us to
His Father, He instructed us to say, when we pray; “Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name...” Only Christians see in God a Father figure where
others fear Him; particularly with regard to the punishments a father could
mete out to his children. If a natural father can love his offspring how about
our Father in heaven. “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a
stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though
you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will
your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him?” (Matthew 7:9-11)
“Therefore I
tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it,
and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against
anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
(Mark 11:25)
Our Lord
Jesus was about to face the cross and He prayed to His Father thus: “Abba,
Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I
will, but what You will.” (Mark 14:38) On the cross before He breathed His
last, He prayed: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are
doing.” (Luke 23:34) He openly gave His audience this advice; “Again, I tell
you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be
done for you by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19)
Do not worry.
“And do not
set your heart on what you will eat or drink, do not worry about it. For the
pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need
them. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”
(Luke 12:29-31)
Today, we
become Children of God by accepting His Son. “Yet all who received Him, to
those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become Children of God –
children not born of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s
will, but born of God.” (John 1:12-13)
You qualify
to call Him Father too – His Son Jesus has paved the way.
