“We Beheld His Glory!” (John 1:14)

The Place of Mission in Johannine Discipleship: Perspectives from the Motif of Agency

“…24 Keener asserts, "John portrays Jesus as God's agent, his authorized, reliable representative." 25 In the case of Jesus, in addition to the sender/agent relationship there is the filial relationship of Father/Son. Friend observes:…”

“…29 Keener points out that messengers, even in the Old Testament, were often servants. 30 The parable of the wicked tenants in Mark 12:1-9 provides a New Testament example of the concept of agency involving both servants and a son, as well as illustrating that the shaliachs ultimately lack the power of the sender. Even when the shaliach is a son, he is vulnerable to those to whom he is sent.…”

“…A negative report could result in a penalty or a modification of the agent's terms. 37 This, of course, was never an issue with Jesus who always did what was pleasing to the Father (8:29), whose food was to do the will of his sender and to complete his work (4:34), and who finished the work he was given to do (17:4) with a victory cry from the cross, "It is finished!" (19:30).…”