John 5:16–18 (MEV): So the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath day. Jesus answered them, “My Father is working still, and I am working.” So the Jews sought even more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
My Father… Those two words seem to have really set the conspiracy in motion. They were like gasoline on a fire. This is not the first time that John records Jesus using this intimate reference to the Most High God.
Previously in John 2:16, Jesus cleared the temple of money changers and referenced “My Father’s house.” Perhaps in the frenzy, the intimacy was overlooked.
This phrase struck me as interesting, considering the intimacy at a time when God was perceived as distant from Israel. When I checked it out, I think of it a different way. It wasn’t the Father that was distanced from Israel. Israel had placed themselves at considerable distance from the Father. It turns out they missed many things. This one is overwhelming.
Jeremiah 3:14–18 (MEV): Return, O backsliding sons, says the Lord. For I am married to you. And I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. It shall come to pass when you are multiplied and increased in the land in those days, says the Lord, they will say no more, “The ark of the covenant of the Lord.” And it will not come to mind, nor will they remember it, nor will they call for it, nor will it be made any more. At that time they will call Jerusalem, the Throne of the Lord, and all the nations will be gathered to it, to Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord; nor will they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil hearts. In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given to your fathers for an inheritance.
Jeremiah is prophesying of a future unification of Judah and Israel. It’s a reference to when God fulfills the promises He made to Israel. It is what we would call the end days.
He speaks of peace and the restoration of the Davidic kingdom. It is to be a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity. And it was set right before them.
Jeremiah 3:19 (MEV): But I said: How can I put you among My sons and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful heritage of the nations?
And I said: You shall call Me, My Father, and shall not turn away from Me.
Some students of the Bible understand that Jesus is called Israel. And in a way, He was doing the same pattern established in prophecy. It was another of those bona fides He gave to us to tell us Who He is. Of course, the religious folk of the day let us know that, too.
You shall call me, My Father.
My version of preference showed exactly the reference being to the Messiah by capitalizing “My.”
It is those details that are often overlooked.
Nevertheless, Jesus’ use of this intimate term ought to have been a sign that the restoration of the Kingdom was upon them. Instead, the nation set out to distance themselves considerably more further away from the Father, as if that could even be possible.
Even as Jesus bears the end of His ministry, and in great anguish… The intimacy continues. It is equivalent to the English word daddy. The repetition conveys importance.
Mark 14:36 (MEV): He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.”
Then Israel succeeded in killing the Anointed One, just as it was said He would be cut off. That set forth a delay in establishing the Kingdom physically to the nation. It also ushered in a time of judgment on Israel.
That judgement to them brought great blessing to Gentiles. These would be included in sharing the blessings and salvation of God to the world.
It’s that intimacy God wants with His people. Is the intimacy set Christian’s proclaim! He wanted that intimacy with them and with us. It is offered to anyone who wants it.
John 1:12–13 (MEV): Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God, to those who believed in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
If you’ve read this far, that right of becoming a child of God is offered to you. Just ask Him.
Romans 8:14–17 (MEV): For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of slavery again to fear. But you have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified with Him.
This idea of adoption is so important. He wants you to be that intimate with Him.
Ask.
Master's Crumbs 