The Father and The Son

The Father and The Son

When dreams repeat themselves it becomes an impetus to at least consider their impact on what is being opened to us in a spiritual manner.  Dreaming every time we fall asleep may or may not have any bearing on what someone can interpret but, when the same dream appears two nights in a row it needs to be looked at with an investigative eye.  

For two nights the successive views appeared and the images were very spiritual.  The first night there was a thin man dressed in normal attire and he kept saying Jesus, Jesus Christ, as if to bring notice in some manner to me.  The second night the voice of someone repeated the same words of Jesus, Jesus Christ, over and over, as the night before.  

When I woke up this morning the memory of these two dreams were embedded deep in my mind and felt that perhaps the Spirit was prodding me to write about Jesus.  Of course, there have been myriads of literature written for 2,000 years about our Lord and this will not be a new revelation on Christ or his inspiration to each of us.  My article will just look into some of the Old Testament predictions that should remind us of their completion.

First, look at Isaiah and the first of four “Suffering Servant” songs;  “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am well pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street.  A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth; The coastlands will wait for his teaching.” (Is 42: 1 - 4).

See in Mathhew twice a voice from heaven is heard; “This is my beloved Son, with whom I well pleased:”  his baptism and the Transfiguration.  The very essence of Isaiah’s prediction.

A further prediction from Isaiah regarding the special qualities that would identify the Messiah:  “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests.  They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.  (Is 9: 5).

Wonder-Counselor;  his wisdom and prudence when dealing with the continuous attacks by the Scribes and Pharisees denotes one who is not discouraged or turned away from his assigned mission for the poor.  The constant barrage of those who would crucify him without ever adhering to his divinity became his cross before the nails secured his suffering.  

God-Hero; this title showed the world that our creator was about to fulfill his promise from Genesis:  “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.”  (Gn 3: 15).  In the end Satan appeared twice to tempt Jesus;  the temptations in the desert and at Gethsemane before his arrest.  However the cross became the victor’s sword. 

Father-Forever; “The Father and I are one” (Jn. 10: 30).  Jesus came to us via the Incarnation to redeem humanity from Genesis as mentioned above.  His kingdom will last forever.    

Prince-of Peace; in the end of his trial, Jesus stood like a lamb ready for his shearer without anger, retaliation, or threats to his enemies, asking his Father to forgive all of us.  This showed the deep integrity of a man who was God who came to spread peace through suffering.  If we come away with anything about Christ it should be that life given over to the Father was for us; a guarantee of a place in heaven if we believe and trust in him.

Ralph B. Hathaway