“I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.” John 8:23
Dear Ones:
Jesus Christ is unique, not only in that He is separate from sinners, as He never sinned, but by His entire demeanor and mind-set. His distinctiveness is revealed before time began, for He was declared by the Apostle John to be “the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13:8) Immediately, by this declaration, we are brought face to face with the “eternal character” of Christ,…the same yesterday, today, and forever. As we follow Him, revealed through the Old Testament, we are increasingly learning of His nature, ways, and purposes. However, it is when the Son of God becomes incarnate, and walks upon this earth, that we are confronted with that which is incomprehensible, unfathomable, and totally different from what we are by nature, and certainly, by mind-set, or disposition of mind and heart.
In John 10:30, Jesus declares: “I and the Father are one.” In this declaration is revealed the fact that the Lord Jesus, like the Father, is NOT of this world. He has come into this world, but this world is only a part of His creation, not His home, and certainly not the pattern and means by which He exists. In seeking to understand something of the greatness and uniqueness of Christ, we need to see Him with regard to His relationship with His Father. The first thing we notice is that He is in union with the Father: “Believe Me that I am IN the Father, and the Father in me.” (Jn. 14:11) It will be out of this relationship, this union, having the same mind and nature, and living in perfect accord and harmony with the Father, that the Father will work, and testify of His person to mankind. What does the knowledge of this relationship have to do with us? God, by His grace, has “uniquely” put before us the true pattern and basis for faith, if we are to live, as Jesus did, for God’s glory.
The Lord Jesus once told the Jews, “I say unto you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what He SEES the Father do.” (Jn. 5:19) He would go on to say: “…as I HEAR, I judge.” (v.30) These truths relate to the relationship of the Son with the Father. When we get to John 15, we see how they relate to us. Jesus said: “I am the vine, and ye are the branches…abide in Me.” Why does He say this? It is because, “…without Me (the Lord Jesus), ye can do nothing.” (v.5) Like Christ in relation to His Father, we are to be totally dependent upon Him, looking to Him to reveal to us His works, living to receive His word, then believing God to strengthen us by the Spirit to “follow Him” accordingly.
Dear Father, it was out of love for Thy Son that You revealed to Him Your works, and spoke to His heart. It is out of that same love, You will do the same with us, who are in union with Christ. Our eyes are expectantly upon You, gracious Lord. We thank Thee, In Jesus’ name, Amen
Love, Dad