The importance of these two words which begins “The Lord’s Prayer” cannot be emphasized enough. Jesus established our “vertical” relationship with the LORD GOD ALLMIGHTY, the GOD of Heaven and earth, and our “horizontal” relationship with all of our brothers and sisters in one simultaneous expression. Not only did Jesus establish a personal relationship with FATHER, but also with Himself as a “brother”, a fellow Son of GOD. This was and is huge. Jesus was preparing us for His later proclamation that we would do greater works than Him:
John 14:12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”
For us to do the greater works, we must believe the reality set before us. We must set aside fear, uncertainty, and doubt. With this emphatic statement made by Jesus, now let us consider what Paul said in Philippians chapter 2:
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
We are all of one brotherhood and should be of “one mind”. We are truly our brother’s keeper and Paul understood this as he further wrote:
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
Jesus established the relationship between Our Father and us, and all of us to each other in just two words: Our Father. Can it be any more direct and simple as this? We must remember the Jesus spoke as directed by Our Heavenly Father. These two words conveyed the essence of Love and Divine Intent. No longer could we be justified by our acts of division against others. No longer could we rationalize why we need to go to war and enslave others or take their resources. How did the people respond to this revelation?
Matthew 7:28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching,
Jesus revealed the plan and the Way in the Sermon on the Mount. In dramatic simplicity, He established the relationships of mankind to each other and to Our Heavenly Father. There was one thing left to do: provide a confirmation of this truth. After all, actions speak louder than words. It was time for this declaration to be confirmed by Our Heavenly Father to these “astonished” people:
Matthew 8:1 When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.
2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
What greater confirmation of the veracity of His statements than to reverse death! The leper (which represents death) was ready to test the words of Jesus. “If You are willing” was spoken to determine and expose the Divine Intent in Jesus. The leper comprehended the essence of the Sermon. Those words spoken to the multitude brought forth faith in the heart and mind of the leper. He now knew there was a solution to his leprosy… finally!
3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
This was an immediate confirmation to the astonished people that everything Jesus had spoken was true. Even death responded to His words. Further, according to the Mosaic Law, Jesus instructed the former leper to show himself to the priest. The higher Law was now in command and operational on earth. The revelation of “Our Father” had come forth.