The Communion of the Son of God with His Father
Jeffrey Brett
John 6:53–57; 12:23–26; Luke 10:21; 23:34, 46
These verses illustrate in the perfect life of the Lord Jesus something which is a wonderful privilege for every believer, namely our relationship to and communion with the Father. This is a wonderful and blessed privilege, especially as these things flow from what was enjoyed by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Of course, we must ever bear in mind that, in regard to the Son, there is that which is unique, inasmuch as the relationship of Son with the Father is something that is eternal. Nonetheless, that relationship was seen in His words and His actions as a man in this world. And because of that, we can see in the life of the Lord Jesus the way in which we have been brought — by faith, by the work of the Spirit of God, and by the gift of eternal life — into that very same position that was true of Him as a man in this world.
In regard to His eternal relationship with His Father, John says: ‘(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth’ (John 1:14). The relationship of sons with fathers was not new. If John had looked amongst the crowd, he would have seen many sons with fathers. What was it then that so struck him in regard to this which he said about the Lord Jesus? He saw in the person of the Son the relationship of a Father with a Son in a way that he had never seen it before. The relationship of sons with fathers is an earthly thing. But John saw that relationship of a Son with a Father in a heavenly and eternal way. And that was the glory that is there spoken of. And in that respect, He is unique.
In John 6:57, the Lord says that He lived here a life that was on account of the Father. In French, they have an expression ‘raison d’etre’ — the reason of being. The reason of the Lord Jesus, the Son, moving here in manhood — His reason for being here — was absolutely and totally on account of the Father. But then He says: ‘he also who eats me shall live also on account of me’. This is remarkable. While none of us would dare say of ourselves some of the things which the Lord said about Himself (e.g. ‘I do always those things that please [the Father]’: John 8:29), that verse tells us that we have been placed in this world to occupy the position that was His in manhood. ‘As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you’ (John 20:21) — i.e. in exactly the same way as the Father sent me, even so I send you. That which was true of Him as a man in relation to His Father — I emphasise, as a man — is true of you and me as well. And that includes His enjoyment of His relationship with His Father — His communion with Him — in all things and at all times.
Now, we might say: What a standard! How can we keep it? True, very true — but, beloved brethren, let us not lower the standard! Let us not think that our ability to keep what Scripture enjoins upon us limits Scripture or the measure of the necessity of obeying Scripture.
There is only one standard, and it is the standard of His perfect life. May it ever be before us.
But John 6:57 also helps us in regard to how this wonder can be brought about. Verse 53 speaks of the once-and-for-all assimilation, by faith, of the meaning of the flesh and the blood: the Lord Jesus having come into manhood, and having given up His life. Unless I have taken to myself by faith that wondrous fact, I do not have life. But if I have done it, and if I go on to feed on these things continually, such that it is characteristic of me as described in verse 57, I have everything! Having eternal life, you have Christ’s own life. And because of that, you have the potential and the power to live as He lived. But in order for that life to be enjoyed to the full, it is necessary that it be fed and sustained, and that constantly. Yet, if we continue to eat and drink of Him, that life which was seen in perfection in Him will be reproduced in each of us. And then also we will live to the Father as He lived to His Father.
This is a great miracle of grace. That you and I, who were once sinners, by divine grace have been left in the position that Christ occupied in order that we might live a life here as He lived His life on account of His Father.
The Lord considers us His brethren (John 20:17) — that is, people who come from the same source or seed. He also said that, having fallen into the ground and died, He has brought forth much fruit: fruit with the same nature and life as were in the seed (John 12:24). He laid down His life and He came forth, taking up life in a new condition. And in that condition, there is associated with Him a vast harvest for God, that is of Him and like Him — and all of whom enjoy the privilege of communion with His Father as our Father (John 20:17).[1]
[1] Adapted from an address given at a conference in Findochty, Scotland, in 2004.
From: Truth and Testimony, 2024