"My Father Worketh-and I Work" (John 15:17)

by R. Hyland, Rhyl, UK | Category: General | Nov 1986

For thirty years the Lord lived quietly in Nazareth, but these hidden years were years of preparation. Little is recorded of that holy life except that He "waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him" (Luke 2:40). We briefly glimpse His vision "... the things of My Father" (Luke 2:49 RVM) when He visited Jerusalem at Passover time, for the first time as a boy of twelve, and then Scripture falls silent except to say that He lived with His parents in Nazareth, "and He was subject unto them" (Luke 2:51).

During those years He must have watched Joseph as He worked at the bench, eager to learn those skills that He later used in the small family business. There was, however, another side to His life which went largely unnoticed by those about Him, although Mary pondered the things that Simeon had said about "this child" when they first brought Him to the Temple. Throughout those years He had not only applied Himself to acquiring the skills of a carpenter, but much more than that His time was spent in daily meditation on the Scriptures and in choice moments (or was it hours?) spent alone in communion with His Father. "He grew up before Him as a tender plant" (Is. 53:2). It was not only that He gave the early morning to His Father, but that every waking hour was spent in fellowship with Him. It is a mystery beyond human understanding that the Son of God who is perfect in wisdom and knowledge should, in His humanity, be seen to be developing in wisdom. Isaiah presents a picture of blessed contentment as He awakened to unwavering devotion and untiring fellowship "morning by morning". As the years came and went He knew fully the joys and sorrows of family life. Mingling with people about Him, He saw at first hand the effects of sin in miserable joyless lives, and the toll of death, which is sin's ultimate result. Death it seems, raised its ugly head even in His home. He must often have been subject to scornful jibes and ridicule, His sacred life standing out in vivid contrast to the sinful practices about Him. But He was content to wait patiently until he knew He had reached His Father's appointed time. The workshop door was closed then for the last time and, in perfect harmony with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the Son set out to fulfil the purpose of His coming to earth. "I am come down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me" (John 6:38). He was on His way to Calvary!

Following His baptism by John in the Jordan the public ministry of Jehovah's Servant is narrated. His steps are traced from day to day by the evangelists, and we have a divinely inspired account of the things He "began both to do and to teach". Just as He had previously worked with His hands to fashion various objects to perform some useful function in home or field, so now he worked to heal the sick in mind or body, raising the dead and bringing release to many of sin's captives. The Carpenter had become the Physician. All that He did brought glory to His Father, and although He was never overburdened by His work He was wearied by it. We recall His meeting with the woman at the well, and the ensuing conversation that soared to the highest plane: "the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth" (John 4:23). Weary though He was and thirsty too, He chose to reveal such sublime truth to a sinner woman! When His disciples returned they begge4 Him to eat, but His eyes were focussed on fields ripe for harvesting; the men of the city "were coming to Him". He answered His disciples, "My meat it to do the will of Him that sent Me", to speak to the men of Sychar was His meat and drink that day.

We move on now, leaving that wholesome life for personal reflection and enjoyment, to consider the last hours He spent on earth. "Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing..." (John 13:1). The Lord knew the right moment to begin His public ministry, He knew also the time of His approaching sacrifice. He had almost reached the end now, having set His face like a flint, He was in Jerusalem for the climax of His mission. Isaiah's prophecy "He was led as a lamb to the slaughter" would soon be fulfilled, and He would move resolutely onwards, silent, bowed and bloodied to Calvary, to finish triumphantly the work He had been given to do.

For the present, however, His thoughts were centred on His disciples. "He loved them to the uttermost" (RVM). They had been drawn from different walks of life, each one responding to His call, men who had been given to Him by His Father, His personal choice for companionship during three momentous years. Hence His deep concern for their future. When the Lord awoke that Passover morning He knew what lay ahead. He could see beyond His gathering with the apostles in the Upper Room into the dark night. The midnight hours and the intense wrestling in the garden would be succeeded by agonies of soul and body as He endured the cross. Psalm 22 would have its fulfilment in the sufferings of the Christ. It was not that He did not know the answer to the anguished cry that rang out in the darkness. "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" It was for us, vile and helpless sinners, who look back with deepest gratitude to our suffering Saviour's death, and express our appreciation for His atoning sacrifice.

Teach me that if none other

Had sinned, but I alone,

Then still Thy blood, Lord Jesus,

Thine only, must atone.

We recall His words "With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer", and marvel at His concern for His disciples: He thought not of solitude for Himself in anticipation of what lay ahead, but of solace for them! The Devil activated Judas who went out into the night to do his foul deed, leaving the Lord of heaven to minister words of hope, encouragement and instruction to His troubled apostles. The last hours before He willingly laid down His life were spent working, "My Father worketh... and I work". His first task in the Upper Room had been to wash their feet and like them we too are amazed at His humility! After the departure of Judas He directed their minds over a wide range of topics, pointing them first to His Father's house, promising to return to take them there. Then He revealed that in His absence the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, would be sent to indwell them, to be both guide and instructor. He would remind them too of all the Lord's teaching, and He would glorify Him. We too, like them, can be the channels through which He may choose to work today.

In conclusion we draw attention to the Lord's words in the Upper Room. "He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father" (John 14:12). This would be impossible but for the Holy Spirit's promised help. Even with such help it is a challenging prospect. Paul exhorts us to "work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith" (Gal. 6:10). The work that we have been given to do is comprehensive, but we draw encouragement from Paul's words to the Corinthians, "My beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding... for your labour is not vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58).

R. Hyland, Rhyl, UK | Nov 1986
General