IMITATE HIS DEPENDENCE ON HIS FATHER (1) John 10:30

What did Jesus mean when He made this claim? He was claiming one in person or individuality. He was claiming a united bond with the Father. In His prayer in John 17:1, He addressed His Father. In John 17:11, He made the same claim. In John 17:21-23, he made the same claim that He knew someone He could call “Father.” 1 John 5:7 confirms this unity.

There was a strong tie between God and Jesus Christ. He depended completely upon His father for everything He did: John 8:28-29. In other words, whatever Jesus did—the healing, the preaching, the resurrection of the dead and all the other miracles, He did by the instruction of the Father.

When Philip asked Him to show them the Father, he gave a very confident answer: John 14:10-11. He maintained that He had been sent by the Father: John 20:21. He was on His Father’s errand.

He had one determination, and that was to do the will of His Father. In the garden of Gethsemane, He submitted to the Will of His Father: Matthew 26:42. It was even predicted by David that Jesus will have one desire: “To do the Will of God:”
Hebrew 10:7, Psalm 40:7-8.

When Jesus was standing by the grave yard of Lazarus, He prayed this prayer: John 11:41-42. Even though He had the power to call Lazarus from the tomb, He consulted with His Father first. Jesus depended totally on His Father for everything He did.

Paul tells us why the name Jesus Christ has been exalted as the highest name in heaven and on earth: Phil. 2:5-11. Paul adds that the two are very close in our salvation: 1 Cor. 8:6. They are equal in power: 2 Cor. 8:9

Even the plan of salvation, Paul makes it clear that we need both: 1 Tim. 2:5. To love Christ is to love God. To disobey Christ is same.

Three of the seven last words of Jesus on the cross were addressed to His Father: “Father, Father, why have you forsaken me?” Father, forgive them…”” and finally He said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Jesus said: “Learn of Me! Imitate Me!”

What can we learn from this dependent attitude of Christ on His Father? Paul says, we have been adopted into the family of God because of Jesus: Romans 8:15-16.

This means that we have to depend totally on God as did Jesus Christ in everything we do. Job gave a candid advice in Job 22:21-22.

First, we have to address Him as our Father in our prayers and petitions: Matthew 6:5-6; 9. We should respect God especially in His presence: Hab. 2:20.

Second, we should consult Him in everything we do: Prov. 3:5-6. This means that we should begin, and end every work, purpose, and plan with God. Self-sufficiency and self-confident have been the ruin of mankind ever since the fall. Man’s greatest sin has been to live independently of God. True religion consists of full acknowledgement of God in all human affairs.

Third, we should have one determination to please God. There is a great benefit in doing that. We will avoid many possible mistakes that can lead to chaos and self-destruction in our lives: 1 John 3:22-23.

Four, we should go on the errands of God, no matter how difficult it might be.
Jesus Christ spent 331/2 years on our sinful dirty planet because he was sent to do so. We should go on the errand of Christ as He has commanded us in Matthew 28:18-20.

Fifth, we should bear in mind that we cannot do without God in our lives. We need Him! We need His guidance! We need His Divine protection! We need Him every hour. As Jesus prayed before calling Lazarus from the tomb, we should have the attitude of prayer before any endeavour—marriage, parenting, business, travel, relocation, building, investing, etc. Paul endorses this attitude: Phil. 2:12-15.

Finally, we should die the death of a righteous child of God. We should not fear death to die under a shrine. We should believe that our lives are in His hands and He will resurrect us even as He did Jesus Christ: Phil. 3:10-11.
We may be sinful little beings, but we have a wonderful, powerful forgiving, and a kind Father whose mercy endures forever.

We can surely claim this promise from our Saviour Jesus Christ in John 14:23.

Imitate Him! Let us imitate His dependence on His Father and all will be well for us!

Amen!

By Dr. Andrews L. Ewoo
Amsterdam, October 8. 2011.

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