“. . . He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.” John 14:21, TLV

It’s Still About Our Father.   I love that new series, The Chosen. If you haven’t had an opportunity to watch the first two seasons, I highly recommend it (Season One Season Two). Having lived and worshipped with the Messianic Jewish community for over twenty-five years, this series is a refreshing departure from the typical “Jesus” movies that depict Him and His followers as walking statues or icons with British accents. We are able to watch humans on a journey from ordinary, irritating, and confused to who they would eventually become. Dusty roads in Israel fraught with danger. Celebrating the Biblical festivals with joy. I highly recommend.

Today’s verse shifts the typical Christian point of view a bit more. Like a compass that must be calibrated to have a true north, our faith must always point back to Yeshua’s Father. Why? Because that is what Jesus taught. Too often — and I speak from experience — we forget that Yeshua would not have come to earth had He not loved His Father, then loved us. He loves His Father first.

With that in mind the following familiar verse becomes deeper:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life . . .” (John 3:16, TLV, Emphasis Mine)

Praising and worshipping Jesus causes the Father great joy! He is proud of His Son. Think how we feel when our child is praised for their good behavior. Our Heavenly Father feels the same way.

And behold, a voice from the heavens said, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased!” (Matthew 3:17, TLV, Emphasis Mine)

Let’s go back to our spiritual compass. So, is “true north” Jesus? Yes and no. Yeshua points the way to the Father, but our Heavenly Father is “true north.”

Why is all this so important? Like a compass that is even slightly off, the traveler will lose their way. After fifty years as a born again believer, I spent half of those years with my compass pointing to Jesus. The Father? He was a few degrees off true north. What happened, as has happened to so many, is that the first thirty-nine books of the Bible weren’t relevant — at least, not as relevant as Matthew through Revelation. I missed out on so much. Others through the centuries caused terrible acts of persecution.

How do we recalibrate to “true north” to the Father?

• Begin by reading the “red lettered words” in our Bible.
• Make note of how often Jesus mentions His Father. What is the context? How is it relevant?
• Read the book of Hebrews which is a helpful bridge to the “Old Testament.”
• Then begin reading the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.

Watch how connected are the entirety of Scriptures. How that context enhances those familiar verses in the “New Testament.” See how verses we once thought meant one thing, but having the complete history and culture and context gives a stronger, more powerful message.

It’s an investment completely devoted to getting to know the Father, which will help us better understand our Savior, and the Holy Spirit given to us as the Father’s redeemed children. Are we up for the challenge?