Point of Inspiration: Devotionals for Personal and Corporate Worship
Robert D. Pace
Years ago, I contemplated the “Divine Consciousness of Christ.” In other words, how did Jesus, the mortal man, discover He was also the divine Son of God? At some precise point, Jesus realized Jehovah was His Father and Joseph was not. But how did Jesus resolve this? This can be a perplexing issue and I’ve heard numerous answers. Some say, “Mary told Jesus He was virgin born and God was His Father.” However, many adoring Moms have told their child, “You are special”! Others may speculate that Jesus experienced “Divine Consciousness” when He heard the Nativity stories of shepherds and Magi coming to worship Him. Finally, others postulate that Jesus knew God was His Father because His miracles confirmed He was more-than-mortal. But here again, numerous Old Testament Prophets worked miracles.
Here is my conclusion: Jesus knew Jehovah/Yahweh was His Father because Jehovah was no ordinary Father! He is without imperfection—perfect in wisdom, power, and goodness. And as the Perfect Heavenly Father, it was more important for Jehovah to reveal Himself to Jesus than it was for Jesus—the Man—to discover it! Thus, in some mysterious manner Yahweh, God the Father, supernaturally unveiled Himself and birthed “Divine Consciousness” within Jesus. And the moment Jehovah revealed His fatherhood to His Son it became Christ’s responsibility to accept that revelation. No doubt, this is why the Bible includes Christ’s exclamation: “No one has seen the Father except the Son!” which disclosed there had been a divine encounter with between the Father/Yahweh and the Son/Jesus!
So how does the doctrine of “Divine Consciousness” speak to you? Well, consider this: God is your Perfect Father too! And it is more important for your Heavenly Father to reveal Himself and make known His plan for your life than it is for you to discover it. He’s a better Father than you are child. He’s a better Leader than you are follower. He’s a better Shepherd than you are sheep. But, when this Perfect Heavenly Father reveals Himself and His plans it is imperative that you accept His offer and commit to the life He has planned for you!