Jesus Came To Show Us The Father
Jesus Came to Show Us the Father by Dr. Abel Damina delves into one of the most fundamental truths of the Christian faith—the revelation of God the Father through Jesus Christ. Dr. Damina, known for his emphasis on Christ-centered theology, explains how Jesus Christ came as the visible expression and perfect representation of the Father to humanity. Here’s an expanded exposition of this teaching.
The Revelation of the Father
In John 14:9, Jesus told Philip, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” This statement underscores that Jesus came to reveal the true nature and character of God, which had often been misunderstood. Before Jesus’ incarnation, the understanding of God was clouded by human interpretations, cultural biases, and incomplete revelations. Through Jesus, the mystery of God was made manifest (Colossians 1:15).
Dr. Damina emphasizes that Jesus is not just a messenger or a prophet; He is God in the flesh. In John 1:18, the Bible says, “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” Jesus did not come to show a partial image of God—He came to fully reveal who the Father is.
God’s True Nature: Love
One of the core aspects of the Father that Jesus came to reveal is His love. In 1 John 4:8, the Bible declares that “God is love.” Jesus’ ministry consistently demonstrated this truth. Through His acts of healing, forgiveness, and compassion, Jesus showed that God is not a distant, wrathful deity but a loving Father who cares deeply for His creation.
Dr. Damina often stresses that the Old Testament’s depiction of God must be understood in light of Christ. Jesus is the lens through which we interpret all Scriptures (Luke 24:27). For example, while some Old Testament accounts seem to portray God as vengeful, Jesus revealed that God’s ultimate desire is reconciliation and restoration, not punishment. He demonstrated this by forgiving sinners, dining with outcasts, and ultimately laying down His life for humanity.
The Father’s Will Made Known
Jesus’ mission was to do the will of the Father and make it known to humanity. In John 6:38, He declared, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” Everything Jesus did—His teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection—was a direct reflection of the Father’s will.
Dr. Damina highlights that Jesus did not act independently of the Father. He was in perfect unity with Him (John 10:30). This unity ensures that everything Jesus said and did was an exact representation of the Father. For example:
When Jesus healed the sick, He showed that God desires wholeness.
When Jesus forgave sins, He revealed God’s mercy and grace.
When Jesus fed the hungry, He demonstrated God’s provision.
The Fatherhood of God
Another critical revelation of the Father through Jesus is His relational nature. In the Old Testament, God was often seen as a distant and unapproachable figure. However, Jesus introduced the concept of God as “Abba,” an intimate term for Father (Mark 14:36). This shift redefined humanity’s relationship with God, making it one of intimacy and trust.
Dr. Damina explains that through Christ, believers are adopted into God’s family (Romans 8:15). This adoption grants us the privilege of calling God our Father and enjoying a personal relationship with Him. It also means that God is not a Father who is far away but one who is deeply involved in our lives.
The Ultimate Expression: The Cross
The clearest demonstration of the Father’s love and character was seen in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. In John 3:16, we read, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” The cross was not a display of God’s wrath but of His love. Jesus willingly gave His life to reconcile humanity to the Father, breaking down the barrier of sin that had separated us.
Dr. Damina emphasizes that the cross is the ultimate proof of the Father’s heart. It shows that God’s love is unconditional and sacrificial. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we see the lengths to which the Father would go to bring us back into fellowship with Him.
Conclusion: Seeing the Father Through Jesus
Dr. Abel Damina’s teaching on this subject challenges believers to look to Jesus as the definitive revelation of God. If we want to understand who God is, we must study the life, words, and actions of Jesus. He is the exact imprint of God’s nature (Hebrews 1:3).
Jesus came to remove the misconceptions about God and to show us that the Father is loving, compassionate, forgiving, and relational. Through Him, we are invited to experience the fullness of God’s grace and truth, living as His children in intimate fellowship with Him.
