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Sent by the Father, Jesus was the instrument through whom He could show forth His glory and shine forth His name. As the incarnate Son He could say, "I have glorified You on the earth" (John 17:4 ). I have manifested (revealed) Your name.
It is of the Father's love that He speaks when He said to Nicodemus,
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Jesus revealed the heart of the Father as a heart of love communicating Himself to man regardless of any sacrifices on His part. Love flows from God's heart because He prizes those whom He loves. How greatly He values is revealed in His not sparing His own Son for us (Romans 8:32 ). His unique love is shown openly by the sacrifice on the cross.
To know God in Christ on the cross, is to know God in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19 ). There is the greatest, highest expression of His love, the glory of the Father.
There is only one name in all earth's history to which the word "sinless" can be attached - Jesus of Nazareth.
He was born without sin (Luke 1:35 ). He was declared to be without sin or guile (1 Peter 2:22 ). And without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:19 ). He was tempted like we are, "yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15 ). He was described as the only one separate from sinners (Hebrews 7:26 ). He offered Himself to God without spot (Hebrews 9:14 ). We are told *"in Him there is no sin" (1 John 3:5 ). As the sinless one He always did those things that pleased the Father
(John 8:29).He lived His sinless life in the open amongst sinners, not in isolation. He could ask His accusers, "which of you convicts Me of sin?" (John 8:46 ). He fully demonstrated His sinlessness by rising from the dead.
Had there been sin in Jesus He would still be in the grave. The holy Father was glorified by His sinless life.
The work given Him to do was to instruct and prepare the ones given Him by the Father, so that they could be sent. That which they received from Him were "the words" the Father gave.
He glorified the Father as the source of the teaching that He gave, and this was the reason for the faith the disciples had that He was the Sent one of the Father.
He glorified the Father on the earth by healing the sick. These physical miracles exposed the lie that God was the originator of sickness; at the same time clearly showing them to be the works of Satan (1 John 3:8 ). He came to destroy the works of the devil. In miracles like the feeding of the multitudes (Matthew 14:19-21 ), He glorified the Father as the supplier and provider. His people are cared for and loved. His casting out of demons showed the power of the kingdom of God.
He glorified the Father as righteous and merciful. Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, and rising for us, through our perfect substitute and living Lord, a righteous God is able to be merciful. Though deserving of the wages of sin and death, we have been redeemed (brought back from death to life) by the price paid, the blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1:18-20; Hebrews 10:4 ), and we have been justified ( Acts 13:38-39 ).
What name? The scripture gives us many titles, but there is one particular name - that of Yahweh - rendered as Jehovah in the old King James Authorized version, that is significant. Jesus is the Greek for Jehoshua, meaning Jehovah-salvation. The claim of Jesus was that He had revealed and interpreted the prophetic name. Those who receive Him know Him as God their Saviour. He glorified the Father as God who saves.
All that we have noted concerning the sent Son, is important in understanding that He sent us also, to be the instruments of God in our world.
As evident in what has been said before, we are sent to be His instruments in revealing His heart of love to those in need around us, by our self-sacrifice and deeds of love. We are sent to value the souls of men, being willing to lay down our lives for others: "We also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16 ). In doing this we reveal the character of the King to those among whom we live.
Furthermore, we are His instruments in revealing the alternative life to that of sin and its terrible consequences; the new regenerate life in Christ, and a life of victory over sin. Sent ones do not merely talk about that victory, they present it in their new life-style. The kingdom son is the instrument for demonstrating the resurrected life of Jesus, in signs and wonders and power of the kingdom, in healing and deliverance from demons.
The sent ones are to instruct others in kingdom life. They are to so faithfully teach that the ones taught will be able themselves to teach others - to be His instruments of communication, making known His mercy.
Our commission to be "as" He in our world, is great indeed. To make known the power of His name, bringing His kingdom among men. As you obey it, more and more people will recognize you as an instrument of God - like Him.