Father Part 4

John 17:21 NLT 

I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

Father in this verse refers to 'God the creator of the universe and mankind', 'God, the Father of Jesus the Messiah', and 'God our Heavenly Father when we accepted Jesus as His Son, Who died for our sins and rose from the dead' (1).  

A recorded prayer of unity

This is a recorded incident of Jesus praying to His Father. He is not only praying for the disciples, but for all believers then and in the future. He is asking God His Father to make all the children of God to be one. 'One' here means united in spirit and purpose, just like He and the Father are united in spirit and purpose. Why? So unbelievers will comprehend that God the Father sent Jesus His Son to them for their benefit and their salvation. 

Jesus, our role model

This was the entire reason Jesus came to earth as a human being and lived among us. It was the only way for God the Father to demonstrate His goodwill towards mankind. How did Jesus show His Father’s love? He taught the scriptures accurately, allowing God’s power to validate His teachings with signs and wonders. He healed the brokenhearted and the physically sick, cast out demons, and raised the dead. Jesus rectified everything that was wrong in a person’s life. Most important of all, Jesus continually submitted His will to God’s will to the point of reconciling us back to God by dying on a cross and rising from the dead. He was the living personification of how to have an affectionate, trusting, and personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. 

How can we reconcile others to God?

Jesus is earnestly praying the only solution that will reconcile mankind back to God. When we as believers line up our purposes with God’s purposes, in the spirit of love as God loves, then the world will believe that God is our Heavenly Father and that Jesus is His beloved Son.

 That’s what father means in this verse.

© 2019 foundedonthebible.com

References:

1. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3962&t=NLT



Mother Part 4

Matthew 1:18 NLT

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let's take a look at the context of this verse. In those days, marriage was a three part ritual. The first part was the signed contract made between the man and woman and her parents. From that point on, the couple were considered legally married. The second part was the consummation of the marriage. The final part was the feast where family and friends welcomed them as a couple into their community.

 Mary and Joseph had just concluded the first part of the ritual. But, before the consummation took place, Mary became pregnant. Mary, a virgin, was not impregnated by a man but conceived the Son of God by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Mary was a wonderful mother, but her journey was not without pain. As Simon had prophesied to her when she and Joseph dedicated Jesus at the Temple, her own heart would be pierced with a sword. Her baby polarized a nation from the start. After his birth, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus narrowly escaped certain death by King Herod and were forced to live in hiding for a time in Egypt. When Jesus entered ministry, Mary must have been in awe as He performed amazing miracles. In contrast, she was also keenly aware of the deplorable contempt the pharisees and teachers of the law had towards her Son. Mary witnessed Jesus cruelly crucified and His scarred dead body buried in a tomb. But, three days later she also rejoiced at Jesus’ glorious resurrection!

Did Mary understand all the joys and trials that motherhood would bring? Did Mary understand that the salvation of the world depended upon her submission to God? Certainly not! She just trusted and believed God’s words concerning His plan for her life. By selflessly allowing God to fulfill her destiny, our destiny became fulfilled. But the rewards were great! All Mary’s life, she never forgot how God took notice of His lowly servant girl. Every generation calls her blessed and highly favored of the Lord!

 That's what mother means in this verse.

© 2019 foundedonthebible.com