October 6, 2004

GOD'S MOUTHPIECE

"I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say" (John 12:50, NIV).

A mouthpiece is by definition "one who speaks for another," "a spokesperson," "a person expressing the sentiments or views of another."

When desiring to establish credibility with the public, journalists often describe their information as coming from "a highly reliable source." What Jesus says to the world comes from the most reliable source in the world because He speaks for the infallible God. When a government spokesperson speaks for the head of state, the declaration must be authentic and reliable. It must accurately express the policies and goals of the government. As God's reliable mouthpiece, Christ Himself has declared, "Whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say" (John 12:50, NIV). The Father resoundingly endorsed Christ's reliability as His mouthpiece when He publicly declared, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" (Matthew 17:5, NKJV).

Jesus is fully qualified to be God's mouthpiece in the plan of redemption. He came to earth to speak for God in the unfolding of the plan of salvation. Only by listening to Him and doing as He says can we have life. The advice of Jesus' mother at the wedding of Cana of Galilee is apropos: "Whatever He [Jesus] says to you, do it" (John 2:5, NKJV). "Jesus did not represent his work as differing from that of his Father. His plans were not independent of God. He moved in perfect harmony with God; his every act carried out his Father's will. His life was the mind of God expressed in humanity. He had come to the world in the Father's name, that through Him we might have life."--Review and Herald, February 15, 1898.

My Prayer Today: Lord, through Your mouthpiece I have learned Your will for me. Help me to obey. Amen