SAMSUNG“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” Romans 1:1-4

The good news (Gospel) the Old Testament prophets spoke about concerned “His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” So much is said in just those six words.

First, we see that Jesus is “His Son.” The Greek reads tou huiou autou – “the Son of him.” I am very proud of my sons and love them deeply. The father-son relationship is a very special human connection, but what must it be like for God? God the Father and God the Son have an eternal connection; they’ve loved each other forever!

This fact is very helpful for understanding life because life is about the relationship of God the Father and God the Son. We humans are so busy trying to live life that we go through it without knowing its meaning. Even when it comes to God and salvation we think it’s about us. It’s not. It’s about the Father’s love for the Son and the Son’s love for the Father. The sooner we understand that, the sooner we can learn how to live life to the fullest.

Jesus’ love for God the Father is obvious as you read the Gospel accounts. And it’s not just the love that comes from respect that a son is expected to have for his father. It’s a love that comes from deep admiration and commitment. Our Lord’s love for His Father is very personal, but He shares that relationship with those who obey His will.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

“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

“The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.” John 3:35

“And He said to them, ‘Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49

“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

“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:50

“I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” John 5:30

“And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” Luke 23:46

Jesus wants everyone to love, honor, and obey His Father as much as He does.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

“ And He said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14:36

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” John 4:23

“Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” John 5:19

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life tothem, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” John 5:19-23

Jesus points to His Father as the highest example of righteousness and good in the universe.

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44-45

“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthrew 5:48

“At that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.” Matthew 11:25-26

“Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” Luke 6:36

Jesus wants us to have a rich and rewarding relationship with God the Father.

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:6

“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:8-13

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11

“And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.” Luke 12:29-31

“For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” Matthew 16:27

Jesus made it clear during His earthly ministry that He had come in His Father’s Name (John 5:43). That meant more 2,000 years ago than it means now. When a first-born son came “in the name” of his father, he came with the full authority and power of his father. Jesus came in His Father’s Name to carry out the will of His Father. He spoke for His Father. What He did was for His Father. Everything Jesus did was about His Father.

As Paul wrote the Romans, he had been separated to the Gospel of God “which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” As Jesus told the people of Israel, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.” (John 5:46) Everything – everything – the prophets wrote in the Holy Scriptures concerns God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. That is Paul’s theme in his Letter to the Romans.

In Christ’s Love and Grace,

Mark McGee

GraceLife Ministries

“Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”