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| artwork by Krista Hamrick |
It is so energizing and exciting to participate in #Write31days, an online writing challenge where writers pick one topic and write a post on that topic every day in the month of October. Within the #Write31days category of Inspiration & Faith, I chose to focus on the topic of the Name Above All Names every day for 31 days. You can view each of my daily posts at this landing page.
Krista Hamrick’s beautiful original art print, Name Above All Names Alphabet, has so inspired me. Each of the 26 individual Names she has identified are so special, as Krista has intricately painted, almost like stained glass windows, each one with its Scripture reference.
My heart has been drawn to do a word study for each of the names included in her art print. Krista and I felt led to publish our Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ …available now on Amazon as a softcover book and as a Kindle book at this link.
Krista Hamrick’s beautiful original art print, Name Above All Names Alphabet, has so inspired me. Each of the 26 individual Names she has identified are so special, as Krista has intricately painted, almost like stained glass windows, each one with its Scripture reference.
My heart has been drawn to do a word study for each of the names included in her art print. Krista and I felt led to publish our Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ …available now on Amazon as a softcover book and as a Kindle book at this link.
I was inspired by Chris Tomlin’s anointed hymn, Praise the Father, Praise the Son…Praise the Father, Praise the Son. Praise the Spirit, Three in One. Clothed in power and in grace, the Name above all other names…while studying John 10:30…
NASB: I and the Father are one.
Amplified: I and the Father are One [in essence and nature].
The Message: I and the Father are one heart and mind.
Pastor John Calvin writes: “He intended to meet the jeers of the wicked; for they might allege that the power of God did not at all belong to him, so that he could promise to his disciples that it would assuredly protect them. He therefore testifies that his affairs are so closely united to those of the Father, that the Father’s assistance will never be withheld from himself and his sheep. For Christ does not argue about the unity of substance, but about the agreement which he has with the Father, so that whatever is done by Christ will be confirmed by the power of his Father.”
Pastor Steven J. Cole wrote: “Jesus states, “I and the Father are one.” “One” is neuter in Greek, not masculine, indicating that Jesus and His Father are not one person, but are one in essence. John 1:1 showed us that Jesus is fully God and yet distinct from the Father: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus could not be “with God” if He were the same person as the Father, and yet He “was God.” John consistently shows this throughout his Gospel. Jesus repeatedly claims to have been sent to earth by the Father, which indicates a distinction of persons. Also, He prays to the Father, which would be pointless if He and the Father were the same person. Yet Jesus is God. God exists eternally as one God in three distinct persons, each of whom is fully God. Jesus’ statement that He and the Father are one does not mean that they are one person. So both here and consistently throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus’ words show that He is God.”
NASB: I and the Father are one.
Amplified: I and the Father are One [in essence and nature].
The Message: I and the Father are one heart and mind.
Pastor John Calvin writes: “He intended to meet the jeers of the wicked; for they might allege that the power of God did not at all belong to him, so that he could promise to his disciples that it would assuredly protect them. He therefore testifies that his affairs are so closely united to those of the Father, that the Father’s assistance will never be withheld from himself and his sheep. For Christ does not argue about the unity of substance, but about the agreement which he has with the Father, so that whatever is done by Christ will be confirmed by the power of his Father.”
Pastor Steven J. Cole wrote: “Jesus states, “I and the Father are one.” “One” is neuter in Greek, not masculine, indicating that Jesus and His Father are not one person, but are one in essence. John 1:1 showed us that Jesus is fully God and yet distinct from the Father: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus could not be “with God” if He were the same person as the Father, and yet He “was God.” John consistently shows this throughout his Gospel. Jesus repeatedly claims to have been sent to earth by the Father, which indicates a distinction of persons. Also, He prays to the Father, which would be pointless if He and the Father were the same person. Yet Jesus is God. God exists eternally as one God in three distinct persons, each of whom is fully God. Jesus’ statement that He and the Father are one does not mean that they are one person. So both here and consistently throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus’ words show that He is God.”
Pastor John MacArthur writes: “I and My Father are one.” He means, “We’re one in power, we’re one in essence, we’re one in work. Everything I do the Father does, we’re one.” He’s talking about His indivisible union with God. Jesus is saying, “I’m God.”
God’s Word reveals what is necessary for effective prayer—the key is forgiveness. Although it is contrary to the world’s pattern, it is at the heart of the life Jesus calls us to. Christ explained that holding grudges proves detrimental to our oneness with the Father. Our fellowship with God is restored through our own repentance and confession. Jesus provided for this through his finished work on the cross. He died so that we would be pardoned and restored to the Father. When we come to Jesus, he forgives our sins of the past and all the sins we will ever commit. But we who are forgiven much must love and forgive others much! Do you need to forgive someone today? What relationship needs restoration? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any areas where you need to practice forgiveness. God is ready to provide the grace to enable us to forgive and to experience being fully forgiven ourselves.
Praise the Father, Praise the Son, Praise the Spirit, Three in One, Clothed in power and in grace, the Name above all other names…thank You for giving me a forgiving heart, receiving Your forgiveness and forgiving those who have wronged me. Thank You for creating in me a free and forgiving spirit that sees others as You do, responds to them with Your heart, and prays for them with Your love. In mighty Name Above All Names—One God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we pray, amen.
God’s Word reveals what is necessary for effective prayer—the key is forgiveness. Although it is contrary to the world’s pattern, it is at the heart of the life Jesus calls us to. Christ explained that holding grudges proves detrimental to our oneness with the Father. Our fellowship with God is restored through our own repentance and confession. Jesus provided for this through his finished work on the cross. He died so that we would be pardoned and restored to the Father. When we come to Jesus, he forgives our sins of the past and all the sins we will ever commit. But we who are forgiven much must love and forgive others much! Do you need to forgive someone today? What relationship needs restoration? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any areas where you need to practice forgiveness. God is ready to provide the grace to enable us to forgive and to experience being fully forgiven ourselves.
Praise the Father, Praise the Son, Praise the Spirit, Three in One, Clothed in power and in grace, the Name above all other names…thank You for giving me a forgiving heart, receiving Your forgiveness and forgiving those who have wronged me. Thank You for creating in me a free and forgiving spirit that sees others as You do, responds to them with Your heart, and prays for them with Your love. In mighty Name Above All Names—One God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we pray, amen.
Look Up—meditate on John 10:30. Pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.
Look In—as you meditate on John 10:30 pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."
Look Out—as you meditate on John 10:30 pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.
Look In—as you meditate on John 10:30 pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."
Look Out—as you meditate on John 10:30 pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.
* If you liked this post you’ll love this book – Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ
Weekly LinkUps…
Great study!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by, Heather. Many blessings to you!
DeleteLove the practical questions that encourage application. I think a lot of time we miss that part in our reading and study of God's Word. It isn't enough just to read and know what it says. As Jesus said, it's those who "hear these words of mine and puts them into practice" who will endure.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I so agree with you. It is so helpful to spend time meditating on God's Word as we pray and then put into action...we are the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth...many blessings to you!
DeleteI turned to this verse and noticed a note I had in the margin for a previous verse- Listen.Know.Follow. The Lord makes it so simple- He is the One true God. The one voice we should be listening for. We complicate it sometimes, but your writing was a refreshing reminder and respite to get back to the basics- the father and son are one- and we can focus on that one and only truth. Happy to be your neighbor at #graceathome linkup today!
ReplyDeleteHeather, thank you so much for sharing your notes and your heart about this verse. I love the simplicity of your notes--Listen.Know.Follow--that's all He asks us to do, and He gives us the desire and the strength to do it. Many blessings to you!
DeleteThank you Beth for such indepth study on this verse. I enjoyed how you included song lyrics and several commentaries from pastors. It provoked self-examination about God's work of forgiveness in my heart. Great job!
ReplyDeleteGretchen, thank you so much for your encouraging comments! It is a joy for me to share with others what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has used to encourage me. Many blessings to you!
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