Understanding the profound truth that knowing Jesus is knowing God unlocks deeper insights into the Christian faith and the intimate relationship believers have with the Father through the Son. Jesus Christ, in His earthly ministry, consistently revealed His divine identity and oneness with God the Father. This article explores this truth, supported by Scripture, and delves into the family dynamic between God, Jesus, and believers, highlighting the privileges and intimacy of being part of God’s family.
Jesus Equates Himself to the Father
Throughout the New Testament, Jesus explicitly states His unity with the Father, affirming His divine nature:
- John 10:30 – “I and My Father are one.” Here, Jesus declares His oneness with the Father, emphasizing their inseparable unity.
- John 14:9 – “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” Jesus speaks to Philip, indicating that to know Him is to know the Father, as He perfectly reveals God.
- John 17:21 – “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us.” In His prayer, Jesus underscores the unity He shares with the Father and extends this unity to believers.
Questions for Reflection:
- How does Jesus’ declaration of oneness with the Father deepen your understanding of His divine nature?
- In what ways does knowing Jesus help you to know and understand God better?
- How does Jesus’ prayer for unity challenge you to live in unity with other believers?
The Father Confirms Jesus as His Son
God the Father affirms Jesus’ divine sonship and mission on several occasions:
- Matthew 3:17 – “And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'” At Jesus’ baptism, the Father publicly acknowledges Jesus as His beloved Son.
- Matthew 17:5 – “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!'” During the Transfiguration, the Father again confirms Jesus’ identity and authority.
Questions for Reflection:
- What impact does the Father’s affirmation of Jesus as His Son have on your faith?
- How does recognizing Jesus as the beloved Son of God affect your relationship with Him?
- In what ways can you “hear Him” more attentively in your daily life?
Relationship with the Father Through the Son
The relationship believers have with the Father is mediated through their relationship with Jesus:
- John 14:6 – “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'” Jesus is the exclusive path to the Father, underscoring the necessity of knowing Him to know God.
- Romans 8:15 – “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.'” Through Jesus, believers are adopted into God’s family and can approach Him with the intimacy of a child to a loving parent.
Questions for Reflection:
- How does knowing Jesus as the only way to the Father influence your approach to faith and evangelism?
- What does it mean to you personally to be able to call God “Abba, Father”?
- How does the spirit of adoption change your perspective on your identity and worth?
Intimacy as Children of God
The relationship believers enjoy with the Father is intimate and familial:
- 1 John 3:1 – “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” This verse highlights the profound love of the Father in adopting believers as His children.
- Galatians 4:6-7 – “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” This passage emphasizes the intimate relationship believers have with the Father and their status as heirs through Christ.
Questions for Reflection:
- How does being called a child of God impact your understanding of His love for you?
- What difference does it make in your life to know you are no longer a slave but a son or daughter of God?
- How does the Spirit of His Son in your heart influence your relationship with the Father?
Privileges as Members of God’s Family
Believers enjoy numerous privileges as members of God’s family:
- Joint Heirs with Christ: Romans 8:17 – “And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Believers share in the inheritance of Christ, reflecting their esteemed position in God’s family.
- Access to the Father: Ephesians 2:18 – “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” Through Jesus, believers have direct access to God, facilitating a personal and continuous relationship.
- Divine Protection and Provision: Philippians 4:19 – “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” As members of God’s family, believers are assured of His provision and care.
- Guidance and Wisdom: James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Believers can seek and receive God’s wisdom, a privilege of their intimate relationship with Him.
Questions for Reflection:
- What does it mean to you to be a joint heir with Christ?
- How does the privilege of direct access to the Father shape your prayer life?
- In what ways have you experienced God’s provision and wisdom as a member of His family?
Conclusion
Knowing Jesus is knowing God. This profound truth is foundational to the Christian faith and reveals the depth of intimacy believers can have with the Heavenly Father. Through Jesus, we see the Father’s character, love, and grace. As adopted children of God, believers enjoy a close, personal relationship with Him, marked by privileges such as being joint heirs with Christ, having direct access to the Father, and experiencing His divine protection and provision. Embracing this family dynamic allows believers to live in the fullness of their identity in Christ, deeply loved and intimately connected to the Creator.
Final Questions for Reflection:
- How has your understanding of God deepened through knowing Jesus?
- In what ways can you cultivate a more intimate relationship with the Father through Jesus?
- How can you live out the privileges of being a child of God in your daily life?