Takeaways

Throughout the book of John so far, we have seen people in stages of incremental belief.  We often think of belief as a one-time experience, but there’s an inaugural belief when first encountering Jesus and receiving him.  Then our belief grows in incremental steps as we get to know Jesus more deeply.

In this passage, we also see more layers of Jesus’ divinity and relationship with the Father, a model for our growing relationship with God. 

Some examples:

v. 25  Jesus does works in the Father’s name

v. 29 God has given sheep to Jesus, and no one can snatch believers from the Father’s hand

v. 30 Jesus and the Father are one.  This is comforting for those who may not have had a good relationship with their earthly father. It can be hard to think of/desire a good relationship with Father God.  If that is the case for you, this verse helps you relate to being secure in the Son.

v. 32 Jesus has demonstrated many good works initiated by the Father

v. 36 Jesus reiterates that the Father consecrated Him and sent Him into the world

v. 37-38  Jesus is doing the works of the Father

Elements of Jesus’ relationship with the Father that are also a model for us:

• Jesus does what the Father tells Him to do
• There is a mutual love between Father and Son.
• Jesus already has His Father’s approval.
• God reveals things to Jesus that He needs to know.
• Jesus carries out works the Father intends.

We are called to 

1) Live in a similar relationship of dependence and trust

2) Seek the Father’s will

3) Continue growing in our relationship with the Father, Son, and Spirit.

Reflection Prompters

1. Spend some time going back through the book of John so far.  Jot down what Jesus has been saying about His relationship with His Father and correspond what you find to where you are in your relationship with God.

2. What kind of relationship did you have with your earthly Father? If this was a positive correlation to a relationship with God the Father, spend some time thanking God (and maybe thank your early Father if you can.)  If not, rejoice that because the Father and Son are one, you can use the imagery of being safely held by the Son as your way to relate to this concept.

3. Are you growing in your dependence on God?

4. In what ways are you sensing God’s will playing out in your life?

5. Truths to mediate on, write out and pray over

• Jesus and the Father and Spirit are one.
• No one can snatch me from God’s hand.
• I want to grow in my dependence on God
• I want to know and do God’s will.
• (From the worship set)  Oh, Christ be magnified in me!