15th October 2024
I stand with the Father
But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. John 8:16 (NIV) And if I did, my judgement would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. John 8:16 (NLT)
I have a love for medical shows – the details of an illness, the operations, and procedures to repair and heal a damaged and or deceased person. I have always wished I could have dedicated myself to helping and healing as they do, but I was not given the opportunity or the talent to do so. Many of the major operations have more than one specialist. They will each do a part of the surgery that they specialise in; giving advice, or confirmation, relieving them, and supporting them. They stand by each other, they judge together, and they have the best interest of the patient in mind.
This is what drew me to John 8:16. Jesus was not only confirming who he was, but he was also saying that he was not alone in the things that he did. He was supported by his Father and God, and they stood together. His Father was with him in his decisions, and his actions, and he was with him there even if they could not see him physically. They were working together in a unified team, Father, Son, and Spirit. Even though they rejected Jesus, Jesus had his Father’s backing and their best interest at heart. He knew what they were thinking, he knew their intentions, and he had the backing of God despite their rejection.
As I watch the procedures in surgery, it amazes me that they can tell where one thing begins and the other ends. Often there is adhesion holding everything together and even they at times have a hard time finding the margins. Any one of the surgeons could do the whole procedure, but they chose to make way for each other, allowing the one with the better skills to take over. They have the best interest of the patient in mind. Jesus and the Father stand together, working together, supporting one another, witnessing the rightness of one another, but also standing together for us, standing between the devil and us, and standing together for us and with us.
Human beings were created by God and not only given life but his own life. As God breathed on Adam, Adam took in God’s life itself (Genesis 2:7). This did not make him God, but a child of God, just as we are not our parents, but a child of our parents because they gave us life. We are told that Jesus and the Father are one. If you have seen one you have seen the other (John 10:30; John 14:9). We are only just learning what this means. Do we realise how connected we are to God? God is not just up there in heaven somewhere, he is right here by us, with us, and in us. He holds us together with his own life and love. So, how do we live this life? The Pharisees wanted to live it under their own power and rules. I want God to take my hand and guide me every minute of it. It is your choice.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come to you asking for your guidance in our life. Please take us by the hand and lead us every day. It is by your side that we want to stay. We trust you Father, Jesus, and Spirit to keep our lives not only safe but going in the right direction. Thank you, God, for always remaining by our side and being with us on all occasions. We praise you! In Jesus’s name, Amen.
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Study by: Anne Gillam About the author: |
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