“And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words, he turned his eyes again upon the Disciples whom he had chosen, and said unto them: Behold verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you another commandment, and then I must go unto my Father that I may fulfil other commandments which he hath given me.”
Christ first introduced Himself by reference to the Father in 3 Nephi 11:11. He reiterates the connection between Him and the Father again in this scripture. He does not only testify of the Father. He makes it clear that everything done is by the will or command of the Father.
If Christ is the example in all things (and He is). Then in this He serves once again to clarify things for us.
Christ did not come to do His own will, but submitted to the will of the Father. Just like Christ submitted to the will of the Father, we too are invited to submit to the example and teachings of Christ. We ought to put away our own agendas. We ought to give credit to Him. We follow Him, we trust Him, we seek His will.
This is not just a passing point. It is the central point. Studying to know, and then working to do the will of Christ is our responsibility.
As Christ served the Father, we are to serve Him.
Christ becomes our Father when we are born again. He is the one who liberates us from sin, and will liberate us from death. Our resurrected bodies come to us as a gift from Him. Therefore, He is literally the Father of our bodies, because they return to us as a gift from Him.
As Christ has set an example in following the Father, He has thereby become our Father. We follow Him if we are hoping to go where He is.
Notice also the Lord has “other commandments” which He knows He is obligated to fulfill. The Lord has a continuing ministry under the direction of the Father. His ministry is not confined to the appearances we have in current scripture, but comprehends visits to those who have faith in Him throughout the world. He continues that ministry today, as promised in John 14: 18.
Part of the “commandments which [the Father] hath given” to Christ include the ministry to save, redeem and teach those who abide the conditions to be taught. Today as in times past.