The final authority

To man’s perspective the Lord God of the Old Testament was final authority. But as powerful as was the God of ancient Israel, He wasn’t the final authority. Said He, “My Father is greater than I.” (Jn. 14:28). And He respectfully referred to His Father as God. “I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God.” (Jn. 20:17).

But the Son of God, from eternity past, has had such infinitely close contact and such a powerful bond with His Father that it created an incomprehensible intensity of loyalty to Jehovah’s will. If His Father’s Law caused such deep and broad love for Him, He would forever furiously defend that Law and His Father’s honor. Since eternity, His Father’s government would be His government.

Human terms have expressed so beautifully the bond between the Godhead, as if confessed since the dim eternal past. “Whither Thou goest, I will go; and where Thou lodgest, I will lodge: Thy people shall be My people, and …where Thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to Me, and more also, if ought but death part Thee and Me.” (Ruth 1:16,17).

The Son would always carry the burden of His Father’s government, and joyfully so.

“Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into Thy lips: therefore God hath blessed Thee for ever.
Gird Thy sword upon Thy thigh, O most Mighty, with Thy glory and Thy majesty.
And in Thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and Thy right hand shall teach Thee terrible things.
Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies; whereby the people fall under Thee.
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.” (Ps. 45:2-7).