What does "came from the Father" reveal about Jesus' relationship with God? Setting the Scene John 16:28: “I came from the Father and entered the world; in turn I will leave the world and go to the Father.” These words fall within Jesus’ Upper Room discourse, spoken just hours before the cross. They give a concise, three-part summary of His entire earthly mission: origin, incarnation, and return. Origin in Eternity • “I came from the Father” affirms that Jesus existed before Bethlehem. • John 1:1–2: “In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God.” • Philippians 2:6: He was “in very nature God,” sharing the identical divine essence. • The clause rules out the notion that Jesus is merely a created being; He proceeds eternally from the Father. Distinct Person, Shared Essence • Father and Son are two Persons, yet one God (John 10:30). • Hebrews 1:3: Jesus is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature.” • The relationship is intimate: “at the Father’s side” (John 1:18), indicating both distinction and perfect unity. Sent With Purpose • “Entered the world” stresses intentional mission, not accidental arrival. • John 3:17: “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” • Love and obedience intertwine (John 4:34; 5:19): the Son delights to carry out the Father’s will. Reliable Revelation Because He comes from the Father… • He perfectly communicates the Father (John 14:9). • His words carry divine authority (John 12:49–50). • Believers can trust everything He teaches about God’s character and plan. Guaranteed Return and Ongoing Ministry • “I will leave the world and go to the Father” closes the loop of redemptive history. • Ascension validates completed work (Hebrews 10:12–14). • Ongoing intercession flows from His exalted position (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). Personal Impact for Believers • Salvation rests on a divine initiative, not human effort (Ephesians 2:8–9). • Access to the Father is secured through the Son’s unique origin and return (John 14:6; 20:17). • Assurance stands firm: the One who came from the Father now represents us before Him. In short, “came from the Father” unveils Jesus as the eternal, divine Son—distinct in Person, equal in essence, lovingly sent, perfectly obedient, and forever united with the Father on our behalf. |
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