God's Self Portrait

S - "The Law was given by Moses, but Jesus Christ brought us underserved kindness and truth. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like." John 1:16-18 TLJ

O - Jesus was sent by the Father to clarify both his person and his purpose. The religious leaders of Jesus' day had distorted God's person and misrepresented his purpose. The very ones claiming to follow Moses and the Scriptures were way off on both.  Jesus, who is the Good News, confirms and reveals both the Father's person and purpose. He "has shown us what God is like."

v  “Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.” John 12:44-45 NIV

v  “For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” John 12:49-50 NIV

v  “Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” John 5:19 NIV  

v  “Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.” John 14:8-11 NIV

A - When anyone sees Jesus they are seeing God the Father.  Whenever anyone hears Jesus they are hearing the Father.  Jesus only says what the Father is saying and only does what the Father is doing.  If anyone's picture (understanding of God's person and purpose) is NOT identical to Jesus they have the wrong picture (understanding of God's person and purpose).  What is my picture of the Father?  Is he the friend of sinners?  Is he one who washes dirty feet?  Jesus is the great and only clarifier. The Father of Jesus and the Father of religious thought is not the same guy! This was true in Jesus' day and remains true today.  I will believe Jesus about his Father.

P - Our Father in heaven,

You're the One who sent Jesus to us because of your great love for all people.  Thank you for the striking clarity his presence, life and words bring to all.  I admit that I had the wrong understanding of your person and purpose and you loved me anyway.  Thank you for giving me/us such a completely accurate picture.  You are more wonderful than I can imagine and Jesus confirms this to all.  Thank you for letting us/me live and pray in him and in his name.

I love you back,

Steve