Knowing the Son Is Knowing the Father

 

In the Gospel of John, the apostle illustrates how Jesus, the Son, engages in actions that reveal the Father. Jesus clarifies the identity of the Father and demonstrates His connection to our world.

Jesus served as the Father’s representative on earth, embodying the Father’s will in human form. He expressed that in everything He did, His aim was to fulfill the Father’s desires rather than His own.

Jesus mentioned that He was sent by the Father to complete His mission—the salvation of humankind—and that the Father Himself testified to His work (John 5:36–38).

Jesus declared that the Father sent Him to be the sole way for humanity to reach the Father (John 6:40, 44). The Father desires for everyone to experience the eternal life that is found in Jesus, who assures that He will raise them up during the resurrection.

Several texts from the Gospel of John emphasize the close and intimate relationship between Jesus and the Father, characterized by unity, love, and mutual indwelling. Jesus speaks and acts not on His own authority but in complete alignment with the Father’s will and teaching (John 7:16; 14:10). 

He reveals what He has seen and received from the Father (John 8:38) and invites believers to experience the same unity and love He shares with the Father (John 14:23; 15:9-10). 

The Father’s love for Jesus is mirrored in His love for the disciples, and obedience is presented as a pathway to remain in that love (John 15:9-10). 

Jesus also highlights the Father’s affection for those who believe and points to His origin and mission as being from the Father (John 16:27-28). 

Finally, eternal life is defined as knowing the Father and Jesus, emphasizing their inseparable relationship and shared purpose (John 17:3).

Living out God's will as revealed through Jesus involves aligning our lives with His teachings and example. Here are key ways to do so.

Spend time in prayer, worship, and studying Scripture to grow in understanding and intimacy with God. As we draw closer to Him, His will becomes clearer to us.

Imitate Jesus' humility, love, and obedience to the Father. Prioritize serving others, showing compassion, and living a life of integrity.

Actively live out Jesus' commandments, especially to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This demonstrates trust in His plan and aligns our actions with His desires.

Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your actions and transform your character, producing qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control.

Make it a habit to ask God for direction in decisions, big and small, and trust in His wisdom.

Share the love and truth of Jesus through your words and actions, pointing others to God’s will and His kingdom.

By continually aligning our hearts and actions with God's purpose, we reflect His love and fulfill His will in our daily lives.

More: Lesson 11 - The Father, the Son, and the Spirit.

Roles of the Father as Expressed in the Gospel of Jphn

 Here are the roles of the Father as explained by Jesus in chapters of John, with supporting verses and short summaries.

 John 3

 Source of Salvation (John 3:16)  

    "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."  

    The Father is the giver of eternal life through His love, manifested by sending His Son.

 Judge and Justifier (John 3:17-18)  

    "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."  

    The Father’s role is not to condemn but to provide the means for justification and salvation.

 John 6

 Sustainer and Provider (John 6:32-33)  

    "For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."  

    The Father is the one who gives true spiritual sustenance, providing Jesus as the "bread of life."

 Drawer of Believers (John 6:44)  

    "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him."  

    The Father actively draws people to faith in Christ.

 Grantor of Eternal Life (John 6:40)  

    "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life."  

    The Father’s will is to grant eternal life to those who believe in the Son.

 John 14

 Revealer of Truth through the Son (John 14:67)  

    "If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."  

    The Father reveals Himself through the Son, making Himself known to believers.

 Dweller in Unity with the Son (John 14:10)  

    "The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works."  

    The Father works in perfect unity with the Son, accomplishing His divine purposes.

 Sender of the Helper (Holy Spirit) (John 14:16-17)  

    "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever."  

    The Father sends the Holy Spirit to empower and guide believers.

John 15

 Vinedresser (John 15:12)  

    "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser."  

    The Father prunes and nurtures believers, ensuring their spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

 Glorified through Fruitfulness (John 15:8)  

    "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."  

    The Father’s role includes being glorified through the obedience and fruitbearing of His followers.

 John 16

 Source of Jesus’ Mission (John 16:28)  

    "I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father."  

    The Father is the origin of Jesus’ mission and the destination of His return.

 Lover of Believers (John 16:27)  

    "For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God."  

    The Father has a direct, personal love for those who believe in Jesus.

 Answerer of Prayers in Jesus’ Name (John 16:23)  

    "Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you."  

    The Father answers prayers made in the name of Jesus.

These summaries reflect the multifaceted role of the Father in salvation, relationship, provision, and guidance as taught by Jesus.

More: Lesson 11 - The Father, the Son, and the Spirit.

The Unwittingly Witness of Pilate to Jesus as Messiah and King

 

Pilate becomes an unwittingly witness to Jesus' identity as King and Messiah in several key passages in the Gospel of John, even though he does not fully understand the significance of his words and actions. His interactions with Jesus, his declarations to the crowd, and his choice of words in the inscription on the cross all contribute to this theme.

During Pilate's interrogation of Jesus, he asks, "Are you the King of the Jews?" (John 18:33). Jesus responds, explaining that his kingdom is "not of this world" (John 18:36). Pilate then questions Jesus further, asking, "So you are a king?" to which Jesus replies, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth" (John 18:37). This exchange allows Jesus to clarify the nature of his kingship, making Pilate an unwitting witness to the truth that Jesus is a different kind of king, one whose authority is spiritual and divine.

After having Jesus flogged, Pilate presents him to the crowd, saying, "Behold, the man!" (John 19:5). Although Pilate is attempting to appease the crowd and possibly evoke pity, his words also highlight Jesus as the representative "man" who fulfills prophetic roles as the suffering servant and Messiah (Isaiah 53). Pilate’s act of bringing Jesus before the people emphasizes Jesus' unique role and identity in God's redemptive plan.

Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the crowd pressures him by saying, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar" (John 19:12). Pilate then sarcastically asks, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests reply, "We have no king but Caesar" (John 19:15). In his interactions, Pilate unintentionally highlights Jesus as "the King" in opposition to worldly powers, underlining the ironic truth that Jesus is indeed a king, though not in a way understood by Rome or the religious leaders.

Finally, Pilate orders a sign to be placed on the cross that reads: "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" (John 19:19). When the chief priests ask him to change it to "This man said, I am King of the Jews," Pilate refuses, saying, "What I have written, I have written" (John 19:22). Pilate’s refusal to alter the inscription serves as a powerful, unintentional testimony to Jesus’ kingship. This public declaration of Jesus as "King of the Jews" is an ironic yet profound witness to his messianic identity, fulfilling prophecy and testifying to Jesus’ true identity as the awaited King.

Through these actions and statements, Pilate becomes an unintentional witness to Jesus’ kingship and messianic role. Though he lacks understanding, his words and decisions reveal Jesus’ identity to the readers of the Gospel of John, fulfilling the divine plan and demonstrating how God uses even reluctant figures to bear witness to the truth of Jesus as King and Messiah.

More: Lesson 7 - Blessed Are Those  Who Believe