Jesus and the Father

By Amitabh Singh

Jesus provided a map to follow rather than a maze to get lost in. People soon learned that Jesus was that map: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).

Moments before an angry mob arrested and led Jesus to the cross, he fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). The next morning, his accusers nailed him to a wooden cross.

In John 10:30, Jesus makes the claim, “The Father and I are one.” It was clear to the audience that Jesus claimed to be equal to God. In fact, those who became angry at this statement intended to kill him. “They replied, ‘We’re stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God.” (John 10:33, NLT)

Jesus responded. “Why do you call it blasphemy when I say, ‘I am the Son of God?’ After all, the Father set me apart and sent me into the world. After all, the Father set me apart and sent me into the world. Don’t believe me unless I carry out my Father’s work.” (John 10:36-37 NLT)

It is clear in the Bible that Jesus came to fulfill the Father’s mission. “But Jesus replied, ‘My Father is always working, and so am I.” (John 5:17 NLT)

Jesus lived in submission to the Father. “So Jesus explained, ‘I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” (John 5:19 NLT)

Jesus was entrusted with full authority from the Father. “For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him.” (John 17:2 NLT)

Jesus was in the beginning before the beginning began to begin. Preexistence has never been claimed by a biblical prophet. “Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, before Abraham was ever born, I AM.” (John 8:58 NLT). In John 17:5, we read “Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.”

Jesus’s prayer reveals that He existed in eternity past as a separate and eternal person with His Father. In Hebrews 13: 8-9, we are reminded that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas.”

Jesus is a king but of an everlasting kingdom for those who listen to his voice. Jesus arose from the grave, proclaiming “Go find you brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (John 20:17 NLT).

Jesus resumed kingship in heaven, becoming the very way by which humankind could follow him there. We can take up Jesus as the map and follow him into abundant life.