Scripture Reference: John 19:28-30

1. Jesus Addresses the Father

Throughout His life Jesus was deeply conscious of His being one with the Father and of being sent on the great mission of the redemption of men to the glory of the Father. When He was only twelve years old it was the “Father’s business” (Luke 2:49) that loomed larger for Him even than His love for His earthly parents. When His mother and His brothers were concerned that He was becoming to preoccupied with the Father’s business, He, turning to the people and His disciples, stated emphatically:

“Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:49-50).

When the Jews sought to slay him because, as they thought, he broke the law of the sabbath, “Jesus answered them, ‘My Father is working until now, and I am working’ ” (John 5:17).

Again, speaking to the Jews, “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel’ ” (John 5:19-20).

Only recently, on the mount of transfiguration, the heavens had opened and the voice of the Father was heard, even as it had been at His baptism saying:

“This is my beloved Son: listen to him” (Mark 9:7).

Then in the garden He said to Peter and the two sons of Zebedee:

“My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me” (Matthew 26:38).

But they fell asleep. They just didn’t fathom the import of the hour; they loved Him but they didn’t understand and they were weak. So, while sweating as it were drops of blood, Jesus fled to His Father for refuge:

“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. . . . My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done” (Matthew 26:39, 42).

All men had forsaken Him, but He knew His Father was ever with Him.

In this, His greatest agony up to this time, Jesus rested assured that the Father and He were not only One in being, but one in purpose. He was doing the will of the Father and the Father smiled on Him.

Even His first utterance on the cross was an appeal to the Father, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Then with quietness of spirit . . . “he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple [John], ‘Behold, your mother!’ “ (John 19:26-27). Turning then to the repentant malefactor on His side He said, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

After that it seems suddenly, a horror of darkness unspeakably greater even than that of Gethsemane, overwhelms Him. As the darkness of a cave blots out the light of the sun, so the darkness of Jesus taking on the sins of the whole world blots out the smile of the Father.

To Be Continued

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