John 8:28-29 Aching for closeness
… but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.
John 8:28-29
Jesus’ words are truly incredible. Who among us can say that we only speak the words given by our Heavenly Father? For everyone not named Jesus, we have hearts that are mixed with both heavenly and earthly motivation. It would take a man of incredible self-control to first recognize the distinction and then only act on those that are good. Yet Jesus said these things so that those who hear him may also enjoy the same testimony: we please Him, He never leaves us, and our spirits’ may clearly understand the lessons of heaven.
Familiarity and trust permit deeper authenticity
From my perspective, filtering words takes effort. When I’m with friends, I trust them with my authenticity knowing that if they don’t understand something, they will quiz me on it. In a public setting, words become my brand, intentionally projecting what I want to communicate—along with a higher level of accountability to what I speak. I believe it was similar with Jesus —there was more intimacy and trust with his closest friends which was distinct from his public conversations.
The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.”
Matthew 13:10-11 NIV
Within both contexts, Jesus was hearing and speaking the words given by God. Even among friends Jesus could not say everything he knew — they couldn’t understand, or the timing was not right. Just like I don’t tell my five-year-old son about the pleasure of sex in marriage, there are topics of the kingdom that the disciples needed to grow into. In a public context, there was a different conversation and exposure with rulers and the people. It flowed just as freely from Jesus, but they were words drawn from the Spirit. Jesus knew no other context. I have had a lifetime of hearing and accepting things that aren’t true, so I must be aware of the source. Jesus only drank his input of the purest of sources. When one only knows the taste of pure water, it’s not difficult to detect the impure when sampling that which is tainted. He had no other words to speak but those he’d received from his Father. Likewise, the more I am trained to drink from that same well, the more I may discern those words from Heaven — and the appropriate context in which to speak them.
He who sent me is with me.
Presence. The Father never left Jesus. This divine attachment created an amalgamation between the natural and supernatural, heaven and earth, God and man, and Father and son. If you love someone, there is no greater pleasure than being with them. You truly enjoy each other’s company. Even in your differences you value who they are and love the life they live. This is the exact same promise Jesus gives to his followers—what he knew he offered to me. He said I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you. I am with you always.
In contrast, this makes the separation he experienced on the cross so much more meaningful and horrific—Presence was interrupted. By design, this should not have happened. I will never experience a separation from my God, as Jesus did when he bore my sin and shouted, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When one knows nothing but continuous, abiding closeness with another, the worst, most unimaginable thing in the world is to be separated. The separation created by the cross is further exacerbated when understood as rejection. He bore sin and its penalty by the one he loves. He was rejected so I will never be. Ever. There are some moments in life that are so momentous, they are never forgotten — even after personal healing and closure. The scars of the cross will remain with humanity forever. A living reminder.
Pleasing God
“I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” How many times he must have heard this from his dad. I can imagine the conversation, “Son, you connect with me, honor me, love me. You hear me, look for me, listen for my voice. My values are your values. My character is your character. When we are together, it’s difficult to tell the difference between us. The love and affection we have for each other makes our beings intertwined like I haven’t experienced before. How I have wanted this from all men from the start. You are the first. You always do the things that are pleasing to me. You may tell them that.”
These things Jesus spoke were either true, or they weren’t. If they were, these are things he wants me to be confident of as well. I speak his words; He’s with me; I’m never alone; and I do what’s pleasing to Him. Is it possible?