John 8:25-29: a reflection

25They said therefore to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. 26I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. However, he who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these I say to the world.” 27They didn’t understand that he spoke to them about the Father. 28Jesus therefore said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things. 29He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn’t left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”

In this passage, Jesus speaks of his perfect communion with and dependence on the Father. I do nothing on my own, he says, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he adds a profound word about the Father's presence with him: He who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him. Jesus lived in unbroken communion with the Father, always doing what pleased him, and enjoyed, as the fruit of that, the Father's constant presence: he has not left me alone.

Notice the connection Jesus draws: he always does what pleases the Father, and the Father does not leave him alone. His life of pleasing the Father and his enjoyment of the Father's presence go together. This is not to say the Father's presence was earned; but Jesus' life of doing what pleased the Father was lived in the unbroken company of the Father who was with him. Communion with the Father and doing what pleased him were woven together in Jesus' life.

That connection points to something for us, who are called to follow Jesus. A life given to pleasing God is lived in the company of God, who is with those who walk with him. This is not a bargain, presence in exchange for performance; but there is a real link between walking in a way that pleases God and knowing his presence with us. Give yourself to doing what pleases God, as Jesus did; and know that the God you seek to please is with you, and does not leave you alone. When you feel alone, return to walking closely with God, doing what pleases him; for the Father did not leave Jesus alone, and God is with those who walk with him. A life given to pleasing God is lived in the company of God; seek to please him, as Jesus did, and know his presence with you.

Lord Jesus, you spoke of your perfect communion with the Father: I do nothing on my own, but speak as the Father taught me; and he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him. Show me the connection you draw: that your life of pleasing the Father and your enjoyment of his presence went together. This is not a bargain, presence in exchange for performance; but there is a real link between walking in a way that pleases God and knowing his presence. Point me to that, who am called to follow you. A life given to pleasing God is lived in the company of God, who is with those who walk with him. Help me give myself to doing what pleases God, as you did; and help me know that the God I seek to please is with me, and does not leave me alone. When I feel alone, help me return to walking closely with God, doing what pleases him; for the Father did not leave you alone, and God is with those who walk with him. Help me seek to please you, Lord, and know your presence with me, that I am not left alone.