the father's mouthpiece
"I say only what the Father has taught Me." —John 8:28
Jesus only said what the Father taught Him (Jn 8:28). Jesus spent a lot of time being taught by His Father. He arose early to listen to His Father (Mk 1:35), stayed up very late to be with Him (Lk 6:12), and spent forty days in the desert to hear His Father's plans for His public ministry (Mt 4:1ff). Jesus only told us what He heard from His Father (Jn 8:26). In fact, Jesus mentioned that the Father "has commanded Me what to say and how to speak" (Jn 12:49).
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we imitate Him in all that He does. Because Jesus spent much time listening to the Father, so do we. The Father will teach us what to say (Jn 8:28). Rooted in Jesus, we will hear every word God speaks (Jn 8:47). The Father assures us, as He assured Moses: "It is I Who will assist you in speaking and will teach you what you are to say" (Ex 4:12). The Father promises: "I place My words in your mouth" (Jer 1:9).
God often speaks in a quiet voice (1 Kgs 19:12ff). We live in a world where too many voices drown out the voice of God. Turn off or throw out the TV. Turn off the radio, your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Get up early, stay up late, and do whatever it takes to listen attentively to the Father. Live "on every utterance that comes from the mouth of God" (Mt 4:4). Listen to the Father. Speak His words.
Prayer: Father, I will hear what You proclaim (Ps 85:9). Give me "ears open to obedience" (Ps 40:7) and a "well-trained tongue" to speak Your prophetic words (Is 50:4).
Promise: "You will surely die in your sins unless you come to believe that I AM." —Jn 8:24
Praise: Paul visits prisoners and encourages them to accept Jesus and be free.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 28, 2015
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