The only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father…” John 1:18 KJV

The only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father… ” John 1:18 NASB

The Father hath not left Me alone…”  John 8:29 KJV

He has not left Me alone” John 8:29 NSAB

Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.”  John 16:32 KJVY

Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. ”  John 16:32 NASB

Genesis 22 has been a rich well from which we have drawn repeatedly. It has afforded comfort in trial, lessons in faith, and material for worship. We have often heard ministry on the three-fold repetitive thought of divine persons moving together: “they went both of them together” (vv 6, 8, 19). The movements of a father and son together to and from the place of sacrifice have often been seen as a picture of the Father and the Son moving toward the cross. Viewed in this manner, we are afforded some small insight into a Father’s heart as the place of sacrifice was ever in His vision.

John’s Gospel is the Gospel of the Father and Son. Thus, it is no surprise to see a reflection of Genesis 22 in the record of John. There are three sections that suggest something similar to the statements of Genesis 22.

An Eternal Intimacy

In John 1:18 we read, “The Only Begotten Son Who is in the bosom of the Father.” Here is eternal intimacy, unbroken, unclouded fellowship and enjoyment within the Godhead. Since we have difficulty conceiving of eternity, any attempt to use temporal analogies is bound to fall short. But can we at least appreciate that from eternity past, Father and Son moved together in an intimate relationship, ever moving toward Calvary? Some will object, and rightly so, that to employ time markers for eternity is wrong. But we, encased in time, have no other means of expressing such truths.

Experiential Reality

“He that sent Me is with Me. The Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:29). Here is a claim that is void of exaggeration or pride. It is a simple statement of fact. He enjoyed close, uninterrupted, and conscious fellowship with His Father while here on earth. He was never “left alone.” Men might depart from Him as the record of John indicates. His Words and His claims were a stumbling block to would-be disciples. Yet His every word and work brought infinite pleasure to the heart of His Father. All that caused men to “depart” only evoked delight in the Father’s heart.

If we think of the imagery of the Vine which the Lord introduced in John 15, this same truth is brought home to our hearts. The vine as seen in Scripture is the source of grapes, that which gladdens the heart of man and God. As such, there was a constant source of delight from this True and fruitful Vine. All of His “experiences” brought pleasure to His Father.

Exclusive Society

“Ye shall be scattered … and leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me” (John 16:32). Even the disciples would desert Him in that fearful hour. The one constancy through it all would be “the Father is with Me.” His words on the cross, “My God, My God why hast Thou forsaken Me” do not contradict this. God is His righteous government must forsake the sufferer; but even then, He was bringing infinite delight to His Father’s heart. Here was a Son Who so loved His Father as to do all that His will demanded. They went both of them together to Calvary.

 Idioms Series: “I’ll Cross that Bridge when I Come to it.”

Consider:

Can you find other links between the Gospel of John and Genesis 22?