There is something quite remarkable about the relationship Jesus has with the Father. But while we might ponder the beauty and intimacy they share, there is something far more remarkable that involves each of us!
Matthew 11:27
No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
We can marvel at the reality of Jesus’ statement expressing an exclusive and intimate knowing shared with his God and Father. Jesus affirms this reality again:
John 7:28
You both know me and you know where I am from; and I have not come of myself, but He who sent me is true, whom you do not know. I do know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent me.
We also see this expanded to include those to whom Jesus would reveal the Father.
John 10:14
I am the good shepherd, and I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.
Those who are called by God to join into His son, can share that deep knowing too – we get to know Jesus as he knows the Father. What does this mean for us? What does it look like to be included in this deep and intimate knowing?
We know who Jesus is, and we understand how Jesus came to be, as the Gospels carefully explain. What we do not yet fully grasp is how Jesus is. Being uncorrupted by sin and not experiencing the resultant separation from God caused by sin, Jesus understands the spiritual realities on a grand scale no other man ever has. This is not something we have ever experienced, and so we can hardly even consider the significance. But Jesus is inviting us to experience it. He is perfectly at one with his God and Father, being unified in plan, purpose, outcome and means.
Even with all that considered, we still ponder that Jesus had his own will which differed from the Father’s on numerous occasions. Most notably was while he waited for his imminent trial and crucifixion.
Matthew 26:39
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.
Against his personal needs to escape this terrifying ordeal about to reach a hideous climax, he faithfully trusted in love and obediently subjected his will to align with what the Father wanted to be done, and how He wanted it done.
We understand that since ages past, the Word (logos) of God proceeded to accomplish God’s will perfectly and in exact measure. No more, no less, no alteration to what God pronounced, thought, or decreed.
Isaiah 55:11
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
This perfect accomplishment was done without complaint, without negotiation, without delay, just done as decreed. However with Jesus—who was the logos become flesh—this whole matter of accomplishment was now very different! Jesus had his own will that must be subjected to the originating source of decree, and this had to be done without coercion, power, or manipulation. Jesus had to voluntarily do as required. All the while subjected to evil from the very source of evil and self-centred pride, the Devil himself!
Jesus always obeyed. It wasn’t easy, sometimes it was very, very challenging, but through this intimate relationship of trust, God’s will was again accomplished perfectly.
We know Jesus understood his mission without flaw. There was no going ahead on his own to do his very best. No, Jesus did not do anything alone, but always sought the will of his Father – even for the right words to speak, solutions, strategies and the way forward in problematic situations..
Hebrews 5:7
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
The total dependence on his Father to stay the course, to resist temptation and self-indulgence and resultant sin, was Jesus’ responsibility. Yes, empowered and led by the holy spirit, Jesus relied on God’s salvation every day of his life. This absolute reliance on God’s provision had to be Jesus’ choice—one made without guilt or fear, though understandably with deep concern, knowing from Scripture what would be required of him. The reality about him was pressing in from every angle—and even his precious friends and companions were letting him down! There was no one else to rely on except his God.
What can we learn from this deep knowing that Jesus has with his Father and wants to share with his followers? How can we grow to depend on God the way Jesus did?
John 10:3-5
The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
Just as Jesus follows the Father’s signals and heeds His words, the sheep hear their true shepherd and follow him. They know the true voice and recognise when they’re hearing something else. How are we doing at knowing when we hear the true voice or the wrong one?
Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Jesus knew what this was like; he was sent directly to the chief Serpent and his wolves and was challenged to remain wise and innocent – unto death! He knows what it’s like to live like that, and what battles we face. Only his deep knowing, trusting, loving, honouring of his Father would get him through each day. To know the Father’s voice amidst all the noise and confusion, the distraction and temptation. Certainly, he was tempted to take easier ways – but the voice of the Father kept him secure, safe, and on track. Getting just a little lost could have had grave consequences.
For us, we get a little lost, we don’t hear the true voice all the time, and we often get the voices mixed up a bit. But we can rehearse and remember what the true voice sounds like and pay attention to the things Jesus calls us to do. And when we listen to the other voice and the things it wants us to do and compare the two, the knowing sheep – “They know his voice”. They know when and with whom they are safe – they know when to go and when to wait.
The times when we pray and feel like it’s just a bit too quiet, we can trust that the true voice of the true Shepherd is still there. There is no way Jesus and his Father will take that voice away. Maybe we got a little lost and it’s a faint voice, but remember how Jesus wants to gather up the lost sheep – to leave the others and get that little lost one. Maybe there’s some sheep more lost than us who need his attention, or maybe we need a little more time to deeply understand what getting lost feels like.
Jesus needed to learn to trust, to understand obedience so that he could keep making the right choices. He is with us as our shepherd – not living our lives for us, but with us, as his Father did with him. His Father did not remove the anguish or soften the trials.
Hebrews 5:8-9
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from the things which he suffered. And having been perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.
God provided, through that intimate knowing, a reassurance and a hope built on trust that they would get through these most difficult times together. Our wonderful and exalted Saviour knows us perfectly – more than we know, he knows our trials and temptations. He provides the voice we have come to trust and place our hope in. There’s room for more trust, a deeper hope, and a quieting so we can hear that small gentle and loving voice –from the one who knows us each and every one – calling us to know him as he knows the Father.
