The Father and the Passion of Christ

The Passion of Christ is the most sacred revelation of God's love for humanity—a love that was not only demonstrated by the Son but also initiated and carried out by the Father. While the Cross reveals the suffering and obedience of Jesus, it also unveils the heart and will of the Father who sent Him. To understand the fullness of the Passion, we must look through the lens of the relationship between the Father and the Son.

1. Foreordained Before Time Began

Long before the world was created, God the Father had already set forth His redemptive plan. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was not an afterthought but the fulfillment of the Father’s eternal counsel.

“He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you”
(1 Peter 1:20)

“And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined…”
(Luke 22:22)

The Cross was not a disruption in God's plan—it was the plan.

2. The Father Was in Christ in His Suffering

Though Christ suffered alone in Gethsemane and on Calvary, He was never truly abandoned. The Father was with Him, in Him, and glorifying Himself through Him.

“Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me…”
(John 14:11)

“You will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me”
(John 16:32)

The mystery of the Cross is not separation, but deep, painful communion in suffering.

3. Forsaken, Yet Not Abandoned

Jesus cried from the Cross:

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
(Matthew 27:46)

And yet, He had already affirmed:

“The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him”
(John 8:29)

This paradox expresses the intensity of divine justice and love meeting on the Cross—the Son bearing sin, while the Father remains present in divine purpose.

4. The Will and Authority of the Father

Every moment of Christ's Passion unfolded in submission to the Father's will and authority.

“Not as I will, but as You will”
(Matthew 26:39)
“Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will”
(Mark 14:36)

Even Pilate's authority was permitted:

“You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above”
(John 19:11)

5. Love Between the Father and the Son

The Passion reveals the depth of mutual love and obedience between the Father and the Son.

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life”
(John 10:17)

“He humbled Himself… even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him…”
(Philippians 2:8–9)

“That the world may know that I love the Father… so I do”
(John 14:31)

“Christ… loved us and gave Himself… an offering and a sacrifice to God”
(Ephesians 5:2)

6. The Father Made Him Sin and a Curse for Us

The Cross is not only about physical suffering but about the weight of sin and curse Christ bore, according to the Father's redemptive purpose.

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us…”
(2 Corinthians 5:21)

“Christ has redeemed us… having become a curse for us”
(Galatians 3:13)

7. Into the Father’s Hands

Jesus’ final breath was not into the void—but into the Father’s hands:

“Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit”
(Luke 23:46)

The Cross ended not in despair, but in trust and peace.

8. By the Grace of God, He Tasted Death for All

The Passion was not only the Son's act but also the Father’s grace extended to all humanity:

“…that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone”
(Hebrews 2:9)

9. God Was in Christ Reconciling the World

The Cross is the meeting point of divine justice and mercy, where God the Father reconciled the world to Himself:

“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself…”
(2 Corinthians 5:19)

“Christ… suffered once for sins… that He might bring us to God”
(1 Peter 3:18)

10. The Father Heard His Cry

Though the Cross involved unspeakable agony, the Father heard the Son’s prayers:

“…He offered up prayers… to Him who was able to save Him… and was heard…”
(Hebrews 5:7)

“Him… you have crucified… whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death”
(Acts 2:23–24)

11. United with Christ in His Death

Through the Father's plan, we are united with Christ in His death—and will share in His resurrection:

“As many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death… just as Christ was raised… by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life”
(Romans 6:3–4)

Conclusion: The Father’s Heart in the Passion

The Passion of Christ is the ultimate revelation of the Father's will, wisdom, justice, and love. It is the fulfillment of His eternal purpose, His gracious plan to reconcile His creation, and His intimate communion with His beloved Son in the greatest act of sacrifice.

Let us contemplate the Cross not only as Christ’s suffering—but as the Father’s gift.

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
(2 Corinthians 9:15)

Fr. Abraam Sleman

 #PassionOfChrist #GodTheFather #DivineLove #ChristOurSacrifice #ObedienceToTheFather #CrossAndResurrection #RedemptiveLove #GloryToGod

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pastoral Statement on the East Brunswick Tragedy

Image
With heavy hearts, we mourn the tragic event that took place in East Brunswick on   Friday, February 28, 2025 , where a wife lost her life at the hands of her husband. As a church, we extend our deepest   sympathies and condolences   to her family, loved ones, and all those affected by this heartbreaking act of violence. In this time of sorrow, we turn to the   comfort of God’s Word   and the hope found in Christ. 1. God Feels Our Grief and Will Redeem Creation In moments of deep sorrow, we take refuge in the truth that God sees our pain, hears our cries, and is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). Though the world is marred by sin and violence, God is at work to redeem creation from its corruption (Romans 8:21-23). We hold onto the promise that Christ will return and make all things new, bringing justice, healing, and an end to suffering (Revelation 21:4-5). 2. The Church Condemns Domestic Violence and All Acts of Harm The Church...
Read more

A Message to President-Elect Trump

Image
Dear President-Elect Trump, We thank God for His protection over you, especially during the recent assassination attempt, and for His guidance during these times. Congratulations on your election victory and the renewed trust the American people have placed in you. As you prepare to lead our great nation, I respectfully encourage you to stand firm on the principles of biblical truth, especially on issues such as the sanctity of life, the God-given nature of gender, and the sacredness of marriage. In a world that often drifts from these values, I hope that your administration will be a beacon for preserving the unchanging principles that God has established. Furthermore, I urge you to consider empowering parents in their right to educate their children according to their beliefs. Supporting families in choosing educational paths outside of government institutions—perhaps through financial support or tax benefits—would uphold parental authority and strengthen our nation’s commitment to f...
Read more

Heart of the Shephard: Introduction - Under Print

Image
Character and Life of the New Testament Priest Introduction Priesthood is a sacred and profound calling, requiring a life of dedication, personal holiness, and self-sacrifice. From the moment of ordination, the priest enters into a unique and transformative relationship with Christ, the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep (John 10:11). This book, Heart of the Shepherd: Character and Life of the New Testament Priest , explores the depth of this calling, grounded in Scripture, the wisdom of the Church Fathers, and the Church’s liturgical tradition. At the center of the priest’s ministry is a reflection of God the Father’s love. As Christ revealed the Father’s love and care in His earthly ministry (John 14:9-10), so too the priest embodies and reflects this love in his ministry. The priest’s role is one of spiritual fatherhood, caring for the souls entrusted to him with the same compassion and dedication that Christ demonstrated. Through the sacraments, preaching, and past...
Read more