The Son in the Bosom of the Father
“No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him” (John 1:18 NASB 1995). Are you wondering about drawing near to Jesus? Let’s look into the answer to your question.
The Apostle John explained the intimate relationship that the “Word,” the Son of God, had with God the Father from eternity past, writing,
“In the beginning was the Word (the Son of God), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).
Jesus in the Bosom of the Father
The Son of God became human to reveal the unseen God (the Father) to us, while remaining God. This occurred after the Holy Spirit conceived Him in the Virgin Mary’s womb. As Matthew wrote,
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way: After His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child by the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18).
Did the Son of God’s relationship with the Father change when He took on humanity and was named Jesus? John clarifies that it did not, stating,
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). In verse eighteen, John further explained that Jesus remained “in the bosom of the Father.”
“In the bosom of” is John’s depiction of the closest possible relationship. No one allows another person into their bosom or lap without having total trust, care, and love for them. It’s where a mother places her newborn infant—the closest position a baby can have to the comfort and care they experienced while in their mother’s womb.
Spiritual Closeness
Any believer can draw spiritually close to Jesus regardless of their background, location, or time. This closeness grows through faith, prayer, reading and obeying scripture, meditation, worship, and acts of mercy.
Emotional Closeness
Emotional closeness involves sensing the comfort, guidance, or companionship that believers feel with Jesus. Many believers perceive Jesus’ presence, especially during times of need or reflection. This emotional bond is nurtured through participation in church and personal devotion.
Historical Closeness
Historically, people who lived during Jesus’ ministry experienced physical closeness by seeing, hearing, or even touching Him. Although this kind of physical proximity is impossible today, some individuals feel a sense of historic closeness by visiting where Jesus ministered in Israel, such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, or Nazareth.
Family Closeness
Jesus expressed that He is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters, as stated in Hebrews 2:11-12, 17:
“For this reason He is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, ‘I will declare Your name (Father) to My brothers; in the midst of the congregation I (Jesus) will sing praise to You.”
Physical Closeness? Not Possible Today
Because Jesus is highly exalted, how would we respond if we were to meet Him in person? The Apostle John’s experience provides some insight. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, before He died, resurrected, and ascended to the Father, John, who referred to himself as the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” enjoyed a close physical intimacy with Jesus, as highlighted during the Last Supper:
“Now there was leaning against Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples whom Jesus loved….Leaning back against Jesus’ bosom, he (John) said to Him (Jesus), “Lord, who is it? (John 13:23, 25).
However, after Jesus’ glorification and ascension, their relationship underwent significant changes. Decades later, Jesus appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos to reveal the vision that would become the Book of Revelation:
“When I (John) saw Him (Jesus), I fell at His feet as though I were dead. Then He (said), “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, though I was dead. Look! I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death” (Revelation 1:17-18).
How Do We Draw Near to Jesus?
Through belief in Jesus, He brings us to the Father. During His earthly ministry, John rested his head on Jesus’ bosom, symbolizing close intimacy. However, after Jesus’ ascension, we can’t experience that physical closeness. If we encountered Him, we would fall “at His feet as though (we) were dead.”
Yet, believers can still foster intimacy with Jesus spiritually through faith, prayer, scripture, and worship, as well as emotionally by experiencing His comfort and guidance. In place of physical closeness, some visit the places Jesus ministered in Israel.
James 4:8 reminds us, “ Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
