Gazing into the Father’s Eyes

What did Jesus see

When He looked up to heaven and prayed

He was gazing intently into His Father’s eyes

Communicating

Directly

Intently

Intimately

With His Abba

When His Purpose on earth was being emphasized

For He is the Source of life

Giver of life more abundantly here on earth

Life that is eternal which starts here on earth

Three times in the Gospel

Jesus looked up to heaven and prayed

When He fed the 5000

For He is the Bread of Life

When He raised Lazarus from the dead

For He is the Giver of Life

When He told His disciples that He has accomplished His mission

For He is the Source of Eternal Life

Each time the emphasis was on

Giving of life

For He is the Source of life

Life more abundantly

Life that isn’t limited to here on earth

But Eternal Life

Jesus’ gaze toward the Father

Father’s gaze back toward His Son

Affirmation of His purpose

To come and give us

Life

Life more abundant 

Matthew 14: 19 (Luke 9:16; Mark 6:41)

Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds,

John 11:41-42

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."

John 17:1-26

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.

John 10:10

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.