"MY FATHER AND YOUR FATHER."
By T. E. Bowen
CHRIST'S mission to this earth was to correct the lie given by Satan to the human race concerning the character of His Father. He could not endure the thought that man should entertain the idea that God—who had created the great universe for the happiness of every intelligence—was arbitrary, tyrannical, and self-seeking. Laying aside all His power, glory, and exaltation beside the throne, Christ came among men to vindicate the true character of our loving heavenly Father. This was His mission. "O righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee; but I have known Thee;" "I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world;" "As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father." These texts show that Christ is the only One ever in our world prepared to give a correct witness or testimony concerning the Father and His character. Again, in seeing Him, our race saw the Father; for this testimony concerning Christ is given us: "God . . . hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person," etc. (Heb. 1:1-3); also Jesus told Philip, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?" To the Son was committed this responsible work of revealing the Father, because no being beside Him in all the universe knew the Father as did He. None could fathom His infinite love, power, mercy, and goodness, but the Son. So He alone could become a Redeemer. Angels might offer to die for the fallen race, but redemption consisted of something infinitely greater than to die. The character of God and His eternal, holy law must be vindicated amidst sinners. God's very every-day heavenly life must be lived among sinful men, and that, too, clothed with sinful flesh. Thus revealing the life of the Father, men would be drawn to Him, leaving, by choice, the service of sin. "All things," said Christ, "are delivered unto Me of My Father; and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and He to whomsoever the Son shall reveal Him." Matt. 11:27. Again, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." John 14:6. Not that this is arbitrarily so, but absolutely no man can come unto the Father but through the knowledge of His goodness revealed only by His Son. Jesus loves His Father. He enjoys His presence. He is anxious that our happiness shall be made complete by our loving Him too; for He knows that in His presence, with hearts made pure, for us also is "fulness of joy." He left a perfect testimony in the world that the Father loves us. "For God so loved the world," "And he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father;" "If a man love Me, he will keep My words; and My Father will love him," are some of the expressions in words of the Father's love. Then, after His resurrection, Jesus still assures us that, altho He had suffered a cruel death among men, the Father's love would not be withdrawn from us. In revealing Himself to Mary, He says, "Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God." What a precious assurance! Even as He is My Father, so He is yours. His love for you, His sons, because you are "My brethren," will be the same that it has been for Me. And this is the way He has loved you all the time, but you knew it not. Reader, this is the God you are invited to love and obey. To know Him is but to love Him, and to love Him is but to obey Him. If you have not already done so, would it not be well for you to "acquaint now thyself with God [margin], and be at peace [not at war]; thereby good shall come unto thee" (Job 22:21)? T. E. BOWEN.