The Father- Part Two
The Father- Part Two
We saw last week that a heavenly Plan was developed for God the Father to have a people and His Son, a Bride. In our way of thinking that Plan of Redemption seems brutal, human sacrifice, but the Son accepted it because it was a good plan and the will of His Father.
But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush Him and cause Him grief. Yet when His life is made an offering for sin, He will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in His hands. Isaiah 53:10 NLT
The Father isn’t a silent partner but has been active from the beginning. He’s the Architect, the Building Commissioner, and the General Contractor as the Greek word arche implies:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Gen. 1:1
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. John 1:1-2
One crucial aspect of the Father’s role is the fulfillment of prophecy. Why is that important to us today? Because if Jesus fulfilled the ancient words 2,000 years ago, then, we can be confident He will again: He is returning.
Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of Me. I delight to do Your will, O my God. Ps. 40:7-8a
Let’s look back on Jesus’ life and see the interaction of the Father and Son. First of all, the Father named Jesus.
And she will have a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 NLT
He chose the name Jesus or Yeshua, in Hebrew, because of it’s meaning: one who rescues or saves. That name became the name above all other names.
Secondly, look at the first recorded words of Jesus:
“Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49 NKJV
His parents searched for Him and finally found Him in the Temple, among the teachers, listening, asking and answering questions; this was the foundation of His ministry. The heavenly fellowship that He had with His Father carried over into His earthly ministry. John 5 records Jesus’ words,
“My Father is working until now and I am working.” Vs. 17
“The Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing … for the Father loves the Son and shows Him all that He Himself is doing.” Vs. 19a, 20a
“For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about Me that the Father has sent Me.” Vs. 36b
The works of God are ministry: preaching, teaching, healing, delivering, rescuing, encouraging, building, and infusing power for Kingdom living; hmmmm, sounds like a good plan for ministry today, doesn’t it?