Dayenu to be with Jesus
Main point Jesus: It is absurd to ask to see God after being with me, since seeing me is seeing the Father.
Published June 11th, 2014
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Notes
2014-05-27 03:22:11
2014-06-06 08:05:21
Main point Jesus: It is absurd to ask to see God after being with me, since seeing me is seeing the Father. Know me, then, and believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me! Big idea and application It is great to want to see (i.e. know) God in order to be satisfied in him (Ex 33:18), unless he is already standing in front of you! In this case your request just shows how blind you are. Likewise, it is great for us to seek God and his love, unless we already have seen Jesus via the Scriptures and somehow think that we need something better! That is not satisfaction in God. There is, in fact, no better way to see and know God than to read of Jesus' works and words, and to believe them. This indeed does satisfy, even as it gives us an ever-growing appetite. But it only works if we have eyes to see. Notes "Dayenu" - the most famous Passover Seder song - 9th century earliest surviving complete copy of the song, though it is quite possible that the song dates back well before Jesus' day. "I and the Father are one" seems to be one of Jesus' central proclamation (if not the central proclamation) in John (John 10:24,30). Insights Jesus is seen by his words. Questions What is the logical relationship between "I am in the Father" and "the Father is in me"? Are Jesus' words = the Father's works? (10d-e) No. It seems rather that the Father's works, done by Jesus, are meant to authenticate his words as the Father's words. The connection between words and works in John Jesus' works are "good works" (10:32) and the Father's works (5:36). The works of God that Jesus does include healing and will extend even to giving [eternal, spiritual, resurrection] life (5:17-21) There is a connection between Moses' words and Jesus' words - both being authoritative and accompanied by supernatural works that authenticate the words (John 5:46-47). Jesus' works always seem aimed at leading us to believe his words. The works are a means, the words closer to the goal, which is faith (John 6:68-69, 10:38). The works seem to be the thing a person tracks with when they do not yet "get it" (7:3-4, 10:37-38, 14:11). Our works are by nature evil (3:19). But when we come to Jesus, we then have [good] works carried out by God [in us] (3:21). Also, we do the works of God when we believe in Jesus (6:28-29). The works Jesus seeks from us are once called Abraham's works (which were not miracles!) (8:39) We will do works like Jesus when we believe, via prayer (14:12-14). When Jesus' words abide in us, works of bearing fruit that prove our discipleship are done by God for us (15:7-8)
11401160930868 1401160930393 Notes 2014-05-27 03:22:11 2014-06-06 08:05:21 Main point Jesus: It is absurd to ask to see God after being with me, since seeing me is seeing the Father. Know me, then, and believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me! Big idea and application It is great to want to see (i.e. know) God in order to be satisfied in him (Ex 33:18), unless he is already standing in front of you! In this case your request just shows how blind you are. Likewise, it is great for us to seek God and his love, unless we already have seen Jesus via the Scriptures and somehow think that we need something better! That is not satisfaction in God. There is, in fact, no better way to see and know God than to read of Jesus' works and words, and to believe them. This indeed does satisfy, even as it gives us an ever-growing appetite. But it only works if we have eyes to see. Notes "Dayenu" - the most famous Passover Seder song - 9th century earliest surviving complete copy of the song, though it is quite possible that the song dates back well before Jesus' day. "I and the Father are one" seems to be one of Jesus' central proclamation (if not the central proclamation) in John (John 10:24,30). Insights Jesus is seen by his words. Questions What is the logical relationship between "I am in the Father" and "the Father is in me"? Are Jesus' words = the Father's works? (10d-e) No. It seems rather that the Father's works, done by Jesus, are meant to authenticate his words as the Father's words. The connection between words and works in John Jesus' works are "good works" (10:32) and the Father's works (5:36). The works of God that Jesus does include healing and will extend even to giving [eternal, spiritual, resurrection] life (5:17-21) There is a connection between Moses' words and Jesus' words - both being authoritative and accompanied by supernatural works that authenticate the words (John 5:46-47). Jesus' works always seem aimed at leading us to believe his words. The works are a means, the words closer to the goal, which is faith (John 6:68-69, 10:38). The works seem to be the thing a person tracks with when they do not yet "get it" (7:3-4, 10:37-38, 14:11). Our works are by nature evil (3:19). But when we come to Jesus, we then have [good] works carried out by God [in us] (3:21). Also, we do the works of God when we believe in Jesus (6:28-29). The works Jesus seeks from us are once called Abraham's works (which were not miracles!) (8:39) We will do works like Jesus when we believe, via prayer (14:12-14). When Jesus' words abide in us, works of bearing fruit that prove our discipleship are done by God for us (15:7-8) notes
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