Sold Out For Jesus daily devotion online
G. John White's first devotional Sold out for Jesus covers 12 vital themes of Christianity.
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April Topic: CHRIST'S RESURRECTION |
This is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions. You cannot build up a lasting meaningful relationship with someone who is dead! That is why Christianity is NOT a religion. We have a unique relationship with God's One & Only Son who is Alive today and for evermore. That is a meaningful relationship! Come; let's remind ourselves about what happened... |
John 20:17
I AM RETURNING TO MY FATHER & YOUR FATHER, TO MY GOD & YOUR GOD
Back in 1958 or thereabouts, I remember as a small child going to a small Church, in which they practised what we call "open worship". Any male could pray at any time during the service, and there was this very old man who used to pray, it seemed every week, and it seemed he always prayed the same prayer. Anyway, I have never forgotten one line - your Father and our Father, your God and our God.
I never could understand what he meant! However, he must have been referring to this comment of Jesus to Mary and if Jesus said it, it must be important and we need to try and understand what He is trying to convey.
My struggle, I guess, as a child was, since Jesus is God how could He return to His God.
I knew Jesus was the Son of God, so to return to the Father made sense but not the "God" part. But let's have a wee look at this phrase for a moment. I am returning to My Father and your Father. Jesus had almost constantly referred to the fact that God is His Father and that He is His Son.
Here, however, He is identifying Himself with His disciples. Note, He calls them "His brothers" and yet Mary went to the disciples - so presumably Jesus was not referring at that point to James and Jude (His "step-brothers") - but rather Peter, James and John and Co.
This was a flow on from the previous events. Jesus said "you are my friends if you do what I command". That was a progression from slaves and servants. Jesus wanted friends. Once, when Jesus' family was outside waiting for Him, He replied, "Those that do the will of My Father in heaven are My brothers, sisters and mother". On the cross He also turned to John and told him to look after Mary as his mother.
The writer to the Hebrews says in chapter 2:11, Jesus is not ashamed to call them (us believers) brothers. So here, it is not just a slip of the tongue but rather the establishment of a precious eternal relationship - we are indeed co-heirs with Christ as Paul says.
But what of "My God and your God?" I believe this relates to the depth of relationship - Father was Jesus' God. He had no other gods before Him. He was Jesus' raison d'etre! There was no other focus or priority - Father was it, Father was His God.
Jesus was saying - now you make Father, your God too! Total unreserved dedication to Father and Him alone. Then He will be your God as He is Mine.
Did Jesus return to your Father and your God too?
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