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FACE OF THE FATHER
Reflections In The Believer

A Commentary by Constance Vanides

"The LORD has appeared of old to me saying: 'Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.'" (Jeremiah 31:3)

I saw a picture of God today! It was a lovely summer day, blue skies and all. Tom and I were sitting at an outdoor table under the welcoming shade of an umbrella, eating lunch. Our direct view was of the small-boat Marina. A few feet beyond and below us were power and sail boats docked all in a row. The slope, which began from the walking path above to the water was lined with rounded rocks.

"Do not walk on rocks" was the displayed warning message. It meant nothing to the little toddler walking along the path with his daddy. His small feet attempted to test little steps onto the rocks. Without a word, the daddy bent over and swept the child into his arms, snuggled him close and turned him upside down into a joyful game! As both laughed with glee, the daddy released the little one on safer ground and off he happily ran in another direction chased by his daddy close behind.

I saw in this vignette the picture of our loving Father God watching over His child, snatching him from a dangerous situation, loving, and enjoying the contact. When the child is released to run freely, God's eyes remain on the child, protecting him forever.

"No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him." (John 1:18)

"If you had known me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." (John 14:7)

Jesus is telling His disciples and us that, although no one knows what the Father God looks like, we can know Him through Jesus. And Jesus came to show us the Father. Even the disciple Philip didn't quite understand what He meant. Jesus began with a gentle reprimand in the form of a rhetorical question, "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?" Following with His explanation, Jesus continues, "The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. (John 14:10, 11)

To see the Father is to look at Jesus. By faith, we see Jesus. Believing in Him, we receive, also by faith, Jesus' words, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." (John 14:12)

I saw God's face reflected in the actions of the young father. What works does Jesus want us to do to show the glory of God to others?

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