By Rev. Frank Rowley D.Th.
I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world, again I leave the world, and go to the Father. John 16:28
There is a time and place for puzzles and proverbs; there is also a time for plain speaking. The moment had arrived for the latter in the startling ministry of the man of Nazareth. Talk of the mystery of the Kingdom now gave way to the mystery of the Cross. Emphasis in His ministry, gently, yet surely, changed. The Cross became central and Kingdom truth peripheral.
The words of our Lord Jesus Christ had the inherent power to wrap eternal ages into a single startling sentence. No man, no prophet, no king, no disciple and no apostle could, or did, speak with the insight and immensity of understanding of the Messiah of Israel.
In this instance He links the eternal past to the present moment in actual time, then projects them into the certainty of the future ages. Jesus spoke in very long sentences He wrapped the world around with truth concerning Himself with the beginning and the conclusion of His sentence locked into past and future eternities. Jesus did not come to bring some small tiny thought to His hearers like many preachers I have listened to. He did not waste the people's valuable time with superficial trivialities of so called sermons. He had something to say and He said it with panache and with power and I believe with at twinkle in His eye at times. The problem with most preachers today in our Churches is the length of time they take to say nothing of any significance.
I came forth from the Father ... The Perfect Past.
And am come into the world, again I leave the world ... The Area of Activity.
And go to the Father ... The Follow through to the Father.
Only Jesus can speak with such calm and simplicity to the people in times of fear searching and confusion. They had no answer to the puzzle book of their lives; they were sick and tired of shadowy proverbs. He is the One who can always reverse the confusion and fear into clear understanding and positive faith. No one else can so quickly lift the heart, above the mysteries of life. No one else can lift the human mind beyond dark swirling shadows of doubt.
The Lord Jesus Christ is supreme and alone in this matter. When He speaks of Himself, men and woman who are listening are immediately lifted above and beyond themselves. It is a very powerful reaction. It can only happen when Jesus is speaking and when Jesus is speaking of Himself.
Dear friend in the Ministry, please talk to me about Jesus. I really have heard enough about this man and that man. I tired of this happening and that happening. Please no more quotes that you have read in this book or in that magazine. Spare me the endless commentaries and internet hand-me-downs.
Tell more about Jesus, more of His love that died for me.
Tell me more of His life among real people in a real world.
Tell me more of His death on a Cross at Calvary.
Tell me more of the power of His precious Blood.
Tell me more of His resurrection and a silent empty tomb.
Tell me more of His gravity defying ascension into the clouds of Heaven
Tell me more of His continuing prayer on my behalf.
Wrap me around with the Mystery of the Godhead. Lock me into the loveliness' of His compassion. Help me and other listeners rediscover the Radiance of the Redeemer.
The context for our chosen text is John 16:25-29. Outline of text.
(1) From the Father. - To the Incarnation, in a small Jewish Village.
(2) Into the world. - Among people, part of our humanity. One with us.
(3) Leave the world. - Work and mission finished. Salvation secured. Calvary's Cross now towering above every Jewish Altar of Sacrifice.
(4) Go to the Father. - Victorious. Triumphant. Exalted.
PRIOR PURPOSES - the Concept before Creation. "I came forth from the Father". Here is where it all began, before the creation of the world, before the creation of mankind. Salvation began before the beginning! It was formed in the heart and consciousness of God in an eternity past. Before the first sin and transgression had been committed in Eden. The plan and purpose of God had in effect already provided the perfect sacrifice for sin in the sinless Body of His Son. There was no possibility or probability that had not already been totally covered by the Godhead. No one and nothing ever takes the Lord by surprise, He is never caught as it were wrong -footed. He never changes His mind, for He has never been wrong about any thing in the affairs of mankind. His was the Big Idea and His was the Master Plan. His Salvation is a so great salvation, perfect in concept, perfect in design, perfect in accomplishment. It is a glory-to-glory masterstroke of Divine Love. He started it and He will surely finish it!
PROHIBITED PREMISES - The Incarnation in an Inn. "And am come into the world". World conditions were ripe to receive God's supreme revelation. It was the fullness of time, said Paul - supremely so when upon the whole Greco-Roman world there burst suddenly out in Galilee the pheromone of movement in the heavens of a slowly moving star. Angels and men were locked in unfolding prophetic announcements. The sound of a new name was on the lips of men and women and heavenly messenger's; the name of Jesus. His wondrous divinity is announced in His birth through the Holy Spirit, in His personality as Saviour (Jesus), and in His absolute Godhead as revealed in the name Emmanuel - God with us. The wooden cradle that held the Child, would, in a few years be exchanged for a wooden cross. The inn in the village was a prohibited place; sadly today many still prohibit the Saviour a place in their life.
The only experience they have is the Bethlehem experience of, 'no room'
PLACE of PAN'S PERCH - Pagan Place of Heavens Revelation
Caesarea Philippi set in a magnificent location 1147 feet above the sea. Nestling among three valleys and almost hidden from view by cliffs and woods. The western side of a steep mountain, crowned by the ruins of an ancient castle, forms an abrupt rock wall. Here from a cavern bursts a river, for these are the upper sources of the River Jordan. Votive niches had been carved into rock, one bearing the Greek inscription 'Priest of Pan'.
What a setting for the question of Jesus. It has been likened to Moses striking the rock. Here the question struck the heart and mind of Peter and the answer likened to life giving waters pouring from the rock in a previous time. Now from the lips of Peter came the living life spreading waters of His great confession.
Could it be more than a flight of sanctified thought that the rock like wall below the castle, from under which sprang the sparkling waters of Jordan, or the rock on which the castle perched, provide the material suggestion for Messiah's words: 'Thou art Peter, and on this rock will I build My Church' This area of activity in the Ministry of the Saviour played a vital part in the Self disclosure of Jesus to His followers. In a place of Greek gods and carved names chiselled in holes in the rock face. The Light and revelation of the Father was heard and seen. How appropriate for such a place to be selected for the purpose. We move on in the immediate surrounding neighbourhood.
PEAK OF DIVINE PLEASURE - A Voice from the Excellent Glory. Snow topped Mount Hermon became the setting of the Transfiguration. The Disciples witnessed the Lord Jesus as never before and Peter wrote later what they saw; "We made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory; This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from Heaven we heard , when we were with Him in the Holy Mount.
POWER OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD - from the Human Body of our Lord Jesus.
Calvary was the intended destination of the Deity from before the foundation of the world. It is not a mistake. It is not a place of weakness. It is not a change of plan. It is not because of any Judas, or Pilate or Herod. It is not because of Roman soldiers or Jewish priests. It is not because of whips, nails or a central transom. It is not because of demons, devils, or angels or archangels. It is not because of thirty pieces of silver, or treachery and betrayal. It is not because of pathetic political power, or the malignant might of the Sanhedrin. If we look in those places for an answer and we will look in vain. The pouring out of the Blood of our Lord Jesus is of the Power and Love of the Blessed Trinity. Every possibility and probability regarding sin and transgression in human life was locked into the birth, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension and glorification of One who came to do the will of His Father. It is the express will of the Father that none should perish.
Because of the One on the central Cross, and our repentance and faith in Him. Our lives have become an integral part of that 'Superb Sentence of the Saviour'.