For I [Jesus] have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. - John 6:38
We all know John 3:16 - that the Father sent the Son, but at times I think my devotion to Jesus, as Savior, can overshadow my primary devotion which is to be to the Father. Jesus never suggested that He was equal to the Father, but that He was one with the Father. Sent by the Father, he represents the Father. Jesus told Phillip ....
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. - John 14:9
I [Jesus] do not pray for these alone [the disciples], but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. - John 17:20-21
Jesus was sent to restore mankind to the Father.
Jesus said to him [Thomas], “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. - John 14:6
When Jesus said that He referred to the two greatest commandments in Matthew 22:40 -
On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
Those two commandments summed up all of the laws in the Bible - both Old and New Testaments. In a recent Sunday morning Bible class we were talking about the trouble with loving other things, worry, relational problems, sickness and health. That maladies associated with life on this planet. And how, as Christians we should respond.
That got me thinking about the two greatest commandments and in particular the first great commandment.
[A lawyer asked] Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. - Matthew 22:36-37
Mark 12 and Luke 10 add "and with all your strength" to the list. So I suppose you could say that if you love the Father all your heart, mind, soul and strength you would be "all in" with your devotion to God. Every aspect of your being focused on God the Father.
When Jesus said "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." - Matthew 6:33
He is basically restating the greatest commandment. That the Father should be our primary focus.
Jesus said "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." - Matthew 6:34
A pastor friend used to say that when you see the word "therefore" you need to read the preceding verses to see what it is "there for". Re-read verse 33. Jesus is, again, saying focus on God.
"But He [Jesus] answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” - Matthew 4:4
Focus on God the Father.
When King Solomon wrote "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones." - Proverbs 3:5-8
He was not referring to Jesus but the Father. Proverbs 3:5-8 is about the great commandment.
When King David wrote "I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep." - Psalm 121:1-4
David was referring to the great commandment. A man after God's own heart.
Oh - I could go on but I won't. But I will add this. The second great commandment - love others - is 100 percent dependent upon the first. It is because we love God that we can love others with the same love that He has first shown to us. And that of course refers us back to the the Great commandment.
Living our new life in Christ successfully is dependent upon our right and consistent focus on the Father. He must not be an after thought but rather a constant thought. We achieve that focus through diligence.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. - Hebrews 11:6
When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray - the prayer began "Our Father who is in heaven". He did not say "Pray to me and I will pray to the Father". We are His children - adopted and joint heirs.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” - Romans 8:15
I remember when I was in the military in a classroom, sometimes the instructor would stop his foot meaning that that what he just said was important and would probably be on the test. Have you hear me stomping my feet?
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Do It! Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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