The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus Walking in His Father’s Foot steps
Father’s Day
A young man had just got his driver’s licence and inquired of his father, if they could discuss the use of the car. His father said to him, “If you study your Bible a little, and get your hair cut and we’ll talk about the car.”
Well, the young man thought about it and decided he’d settle for the offer. After about a month he came back to his father again and asked about the car. His father said, “Son I’ve noticed that you have been studying your Bible, but I’m disappointed that you haven’t cut your hair.
The young man paused for a moment and then said, “You know dad, I’ve been thinking about that and I’ve noticed in my studies of the Bible that Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, John the Baptist had long hair, and there’s a strong argument that Jesus himself had long hair.”
His father replied, “Your right, son. Did you also notice that they walked everywhere they went?”
The feet represent Jesus Walking in His Father’s Footsteps
Matthew records in his Gospel of Mary being the fulfilment of the prophecy “Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” and Matthew tells us the circumstances from Joseph’s perspective showing us how he reacted when he found out Mary was having a baby that wasn’t his.
He didn’t rant and rave in anger with Mary, but being an honourable man he didn’t want her to suffer publically on his account, so he decided to quietly annul the marriage contract, under Jewish law he was legally betrothed to Mary.
Most men’s first reaction would be to feel betrayed and their love filled with humiliation which can devastate the soul, leave an open wound that can become septic with great pain. You may know someone who is going through a marriage breakup, and can relate to the consequences of it.
We read that while Joseph was deliberating about this, God spoke to him in a dream that revealed that God was the Father of Mary’s child and he was encouraged by God to be his earthly father. God wanted Jesus to have a dad.
Following in Joseph, his adopted father’s footsteps. The eldest son taking on his father’s occupation of carpentry.
“He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. What’s this wisdom that has been given to him, that he even does miracles! Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sister’s here with us.” Mark 6: 2, 3
Up to the age of 30 he made his living as a carpenter, the difference between a joiner and a carpenter: a joiner makes the product that the carpenter installs it into a building: like windows, doors, he also would probably make: tables chairs and other items of every day use.
Following in His heavenly Father’s footsteps, God taught Jesus the scriptures
At the age of twelve Jesus spoke of being in his father’s house, the temple at Jerusalem. The scribes and teachers of the law were amazed at his knowledge and understanding of the scriptures and as I’ve just read in Mark’s Gospel. Luke 2: 47.
Jesus knew that he was God’s Son.
We tend to think of two separate people Father and Son, but Jesus was spiritually part of God himself. Hence the name Emmanuel – God with us
Jesus said that he and his Father were one, and His own followers found it hard to understand. I think Philip was challenging Jesus when he asked him to show him the Father.
Jesus replied, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father, How can you say, ‘show us the Father?’
How often do we say, “Doesn’t he look like his Father.” But no one could describe God, the Jews had no statues or images of God in their temple.
Jesus went on to say to Philip
“ Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or believe me for the sake of the works themselves.” John 14 : 8-11.
So Jesus was following in the footsteps of his Father and he only said and did what he heard from his heavenly Father. His words were backed up by actions, the miracles, healing and the raising of the dead. Jesus would say to the person, “Have you faith that I can do this?”
Jesus gave Philip and us a promise, “Truly, truly I say to you he who believes in me will also do the works I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name I will do it.” John 14: 12-14.
Jesus gave Philip and us a promise, “Truly, truly I say to you he who believes in me will also do the works I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name I will do it.” John 14: 12-14.
Visual Aids FAITH the word placed on the footprint.
In our reading Joseph after having the dream responded in faith and it confirmed what Mary had probably told him about Archangel Gabriel’s visit telling her she conceive would have God’s Son and to call him Jesus and together they would have peace in their heart.
And it is by faith in Jesus that we enter into God’s rest. We believe that Jesus came into the world to fulfil God’s purposes and plan to save all humanity from sin against God and as God raised Jesus from the dead( death is a the result of sin), because he was born of God, death had no dominion over him.
For us by simply believing that Jesus took our place on the cross dying for our sin we receive God’s peace and we come to know God as our Father, so to all who believe in him are saved by Grace.
Grace word placed on the other footprint.
“For whoever enters God’s rest also ceases from their labours as God did from His.” Hebrews 4: 10
Entering into God’s rest means that we cannot earn by good works what Jesus has done for us on the cross, we can only receive it and enter into God’s rest which is Salvation.
As a result we are blessed with every spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Confirming Jesus’ word, Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son, if you ask anything in my name I will do it.” Ephesians 1: 3. John 14: 13, 14.
“For whoever enters God’s rest also ceases from their labours as God did from His.” Hebrews 4: 10
Entering into God’s rest means that we cannot earn by good works what Jesus has done for us on the cross, we can only receive it and enter into God’s rest which is Salvation.
As a result we are blessed with every spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Confirming Jesus’ word, Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son, if you ask anything in my name I will do it.” Ephesians 1: 3. John 14: 13, 14.
JESUS’ NAME Joseph and Mary were asked to name him Jesus. Hebrew ‘Yeshua’ the name means – The Lord’s Salvation
Peter and John prayed for the paralytic man at gate beautiful, Peter said to him, “Silver & gold I haven’t got to give you, but in the name of Jesus of Nazareth ‘Rise up and walk.’ Peter took him by the hand and the man rose to his feet and began to leap about, he was so filled with joy.
So we follow taking hold of his promise- in faith pray in his name and Jesus intercedes to his and our Father for us.
God is our Father and in Jesus we share God’s love, his compassion, humility, kindness, generosity, friendship, faithfulness, his word, his victory, his joy and peace to all who we meet as we journey through this life. Amen