In Luke 10 Jesus rejoices over the knowledge that God was revealing through Him: "At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure" (Luke 10:21; NIV).

Jesus didn't preach His own ideas, but rather the things His Father wanted Him to preach: "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak—Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak" (John 12:49-50).

What was Christ revealing on behalf of His Father? Christ was revealing God the Father Himself. He was revealing a new view of God, a new understanding of God. "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him" (Matthew 11:27).

His fellow Jews had previously understood God as a sort of national champion, the "father" of their nation who had worked mighty miracles in the days of their forefathers. But Jesus Christ revealed a very different understanding: a loving God, gently caring for His followers as a father loves his own children.

The Father that Jesus Christ revealed was a God who desired a close personal relationship with His people, wanting to share all things with His children, to forgive them, to heal them, to bless them and to give them eternal life in His Kingdom. Jesus Christ Himself personified that love. Throughout His life and ministry He revealed a love far beyond what they could have understood earlier: a love so deep that God would give His very Son as a sacrifice to reconcile each of His children to Him.

Jesus told his fellow Jews that they did not know the Father: "And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form" (John 5:37). By contrast, Jesus' disciples were blessed to know the Father: "Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it" (Luke 10:23-24; NIV).

We can pray: "Our Father in heaven". Do we appreciate that?

With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!