#1359. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (7/10/25)
- Matt Beaney
- Oct 7
- 3 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we begin our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.
Continuing in Ephesians 1:3, we ask:
How is it that Jesus is divine whilst still having a ‘God and Father’?
You can listen to this devotional below
‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.’ (Ephesians 1:3)
Paul begins this great letter with a song of praise - not to a distant or generic deity, but to ‘the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ At first glance, this can seem puzzling. If Jesus is God, how can God be His God and Father?
Some cults and false religions twist this to suggest that Jesus must therefore be a created being - less than divine. But that is a lie straight from the enemy, who works tirelessly to diminish the glory of Christ. Scripture, however, reveals something more beautiful and profound.
In the mystery of the incarnation, Jesus - the eternal Son - took on true humanity. He didn’t just appear human; He became flesh and blood. As a man, Jesus submitted Himself fully to the Father and lived in perfect dependence on Him. In this real, lived experience, the Father truly was His God. That’s why Jesus could say after His resurrection:
“I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (John 20:17)
These are not words of inferiority, but of identification. Jesus, the Son of God, has entered our humanity so completely that He shares our experience. Yet He remains fully divine - God with us, worthy of all worship.
So when Paul praises ‘the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,’ he’s lifting our eyes to the Father who planned our salvation, and to the Son who carried it out - fully God, fully man, and forever our Saviour.
Response
How is it that Jesus is divine whilst still having a ‘God and Father’? We’ve seen that Jesus was fully man whilst remaining fully God - fully divine.
Take time today to reflect on the wonder of the incarnation. Meditate on the humility of Jesus, who became like us so that we might become like Him. Let this truth lead you into worship, thanking the Father for sending the Son, and thanking Jesus for stepping into our world to bring us to God.
‘Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.’ (Philippians 2:6-7)
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Specifically, ensure everyone knows the details of our upcoming New Ground Weekend.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Today, because of our theme, let’s leave more time at the end to worship and pray together.
4. Study and pray together
On Sunday, we began our new series entitled:
Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.
Please read Ephesians 1:1-3 and discuss:
What did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?
How do these verses inspire us to praise God?
What is your current practice regarding praise and worship in your devotions, or, how would you like to develop in this vital practice?
For the rest of our time together, let’s spend time in worship and prayer.
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