THE MEEKNESS OF CHRIST

Devotion #4 of 13

"I am meek and lowly in heart" -- Jesus EVERYTHING DELIVERED TO THE SON A challenging consideration

"All things are delivered unto me of my Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him." This is a challenging text--challenging to the thinking of this world. In matters pertaining to man's approach to, and fellowship with, the Father, everything has been given to the Son. The "government" has been placed upon His shoulder (Isa 9:6-7). Jesus divulged the purpose for this authority in His prayer to the Father: "As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given him" (John 17:2).

No man knows Who the Son is

And no man knoweth the Son, but the Father." Luke's Gospel provides additional insights. "All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth Who the Son is, but the Father" (Luke 10:22). This indicates that "false Christs" do exist (Matt 24:24). According to Jesus' word, they would follow His first appearing. Whether the destruction of Jerusalem or the end of the age was in perspective is beside the point. The issue is that God's "only begotten Son" could not be detected by human analysis alone. Satan is subtle, and his artifices can only be perceived with the help of God. If this is not the case, Christ's words are a delusion. Paul later told the Corinthians, "For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many, but to us there is but one God, the Father, of Whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom are all things, and we by Him. Howbeit, there is not in every man that knowledge" (1 Cor 8:5-7a). The point being made by both Jesus and Paul is not an academic one. An academic assessment of the claims of Christ is not the issue. Christ's redemptive capacity is the solitary objective in apprehending Him. The Father did not send the Son, and the Son did not come, to establish social order or political superiority. Jesus came to "bring us to God" (1 Pet 3:18). In that capacity, He must be shown to us by God. We, like Peter, have been confronted with an abundance of evidence. Peter's confirmation was the enfleshed Word, together with His utterances and works. Yet, when He confessed Jesus to be "the Christ, the Son of the living God," the Savior said it had been "revealed" to Him by the "Father which is in heaven" (Matt 16:16-17). It is true, "no man knoweth Who the Son is, but the Father."

No man knows Who the Father is

Neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal Him." The utter impotence of human wisdom is seen in this affirmation. Again, Jesus is not speaking academically or analytically. He is not saying men are incapable of concluding that God exists and is powerful. He IS saying that no individual can receive eternal life from Him until He knows in his heart Who He is. Jesus has been given authority to give "eternal life" to all those given to Him by the Father. That will not occur without divine involvement. If you want eternal life, you receive it because it is given to you. It will not come as a result of your own wisdom, discernment, or academic superiority.

-- TOMORROW: COME TO CHRIST! --