Cees en Anneke Noordzij — Christology
b5 — Putting One’s Hand to the Plough
Prophetic Office — Jesus as the Caller Who Chooses
Jesus personally calls followers, typified through the image of the twelfth span of oxen (1Kgs.19:19). The number twelve points to election to a ministry of divine authority:
“Jesus calls ‘the twelfth span’ that is ploughing on ‘God’s field’ (1Cor.3:9, 1Kgs.19:19). He chooses them to go with Him (John 15:16, Mark 3:14). He says: ‘Follow Me, and you will see heaven open’ (Matt.9:9, John 1:43, John 1:52).”
Source: Noordzij, Putting One’s Hand to the Plough, §The Calling of Elisha.
Interpretation: Noordzij draws a direct parallel between Elisha’s calling by Elijah and Jesus’ calling of His followers. The twelfth span is a type for those “foreknown and chosen” for a ministry of divine authority.
Kingly Office — Christ as the Good Shepherd
The Shepherd knows His sheep by name and calls each one personally:
“The Good Shepherd knows them by name and calls them all personally to Himself (Ps.147:4, John 10:3).”
On the unity of the flock and its guidance into the kingdom:
“Thus He leads us to the still waters and the green pastures of the Kingdom of heaven (John 10:3). There it becomes one flock and one shepherd of sheep who know the voice of the Good Shepherd (John 10:16). This is not something for the future. Whoever follows Him experiences it here and now.”
Source: Noordzij, Putting One’s Hand to the Plough, §The Calling of Elisha and §Cutting a Straight Course.
Interpretation: Noordzij situates the Good Shepherd imagery not eschatologically but in the present spiritual life of the follower; experiencing the Shepherd’s guidance is presentist.
Jesus as Spiritual Temple
In his exposition of John 2:19-21, Noordzij argues that Jesus was speaking of Himself, not the stone temple:
“When the Lord said: ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,’ He was not thinking of a natural temple (as the scribes did). He was thinking of a spiritual temple of God. He was thinking of Himself (John 2:19-21, cf. Col.2:9).”
Source: Noordzij, Putting One’s Hand to the Plough, §Cutting a Straight Course.
Interpretation: Jesus as spiritual temple is for Noordzij an example of “cutting a straight course” (orthotomeo): consistently distinguishing between earthly shadows and spiritual realities.
Jesus’ Obedience to the Father
Jesus acted and spoke solely from complete dependence on the Father:
“At twelve years old He was already completely absorbed in the things of the Father (Luke 2:49). Yet He remained still until His thirtieth year. And even afterward He often ‘rose early, while it was still dark, and went to a desolate place to pray’ (Mark 1:35). What He spoke, He had first heard from the Father (John 8:38). What He did, He had first seen the Father do (John 5:19). Thus He could speak with ‘words of eternal life’ (John 6:68).”
Source: Noordzij, Putting One’s Hand to the Plough, §Ploughing and Resting.
Interpretation: Noordzij uses Jesus’ obedient waiting and listening as a normative model for the follower. Complete alignment with the Father’s will is the foundation of Jesus’ ministry.
Christ’s Works and Greater Works Through Believers
Parallel to Elisha’s reception of a double portion of Elijah’s spirit stands Jesus’ promise in John 14:12:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father (John 14:12).”
Source: Noordzij, Putting One’s Hand to the Plough, §The Calling of Elisha.
Interpretation: Noordzij sees in Elisha’s reception of the double portion of Elijah’s spirit a type for the greater works that believers in Christ will do. The ascension (“I am going to the Father”) is the necessary precondition for this transfer.