John 5:19-23 God grants divine favour and authority to those who are united with Him
John 5:19-23 God grants divine favour and authority to those who are united with Him
Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” John 5:19-23
Background
One of the sticking points that hindered the Jews from being saved was: They could not accept how God who is transcendent (beyond reach) would degrade Himself by coming as a mortal and live among sinners. The Jews could not understand that unless man encounter God in a personal way and experience His truth and grace, man cannot be saved. Jesus having made known His identity as God further explained the nature of His relationship with the Father and His mission in the world. Jesus wanted the Jews to encounter the Father through Him and receive Him as their Saviour. In this episode, Jesus spoke of Himself as the face of the Father; perfectly united in purpose, in love and in trust. Likewise, God has called believers to be His face so that the world may encounter God through us. Today’s devotion teaches us: God grants divine favour and authority to those who are united with Him.
Observation
“… the Son can do nothing of Himself… ” – perfect unity
Jesus said that the Son cannot do anything out of His own initiative. Although He is physically a distinct person, His motives and actions are one with God. Jesus is as He said in the original language incapable of fulfilling HIs own agenda; He is in perfect submission under God’s rule; He is working hand-in-glove with God. Hence, Jesus justified His act of healing the man on Sabbath as what the Father Himself would do.
“… For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing. ” – perfect love
Here, it describes the intimate nature of Jesus’s relationship with the Father. Love translates into a partnership that is so intimate that the Father involves the Son in everything He does. Jesus’s unyielding obedience to the Father drove Him to suffer for the sins that He did not commit. Because the Father loved the Son, He would not abandon Jesus in His suffering or allow Him to see corruption in hell (see Psalm 16:10). Because of the Father’s love and the Son’s obedience, there is no limit to the authority that the Father will entrust to the Son; which is the authority to raise the dead.
“For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son.” – perfect trust
The Father trusts the Son and gives all authority to Him; the power to judge. One cannot approach God and be saved, unless he acknowledges the Son as Lord. In other words, Jesus is the face of the Father and whatever He speaks, the Father will speak likewise. Whatever the Son judges, the Father will judge likewise. And the Father will not honour anyone unless he first honours the Son.
Truth
A true worshiper of God will come to acknowledge Jesus as his Lord and Saviour
As God is perfectly united with the Son in love and trust, to know the Son is to know the Father. In other words, to see the Son in action is to see the Father in action: for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.
Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; … My Father, who has given them to Me, … I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30. Indeed, true worshippers will come to acknowledge Him as one with the Father and worship Him.
There are many people who do not have the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many people of the Old Testament as well as the tribes who lived in remote places of the earth have never heard of Christ. What would happen to them when they die? I believe Jesus will give those who have not heard the gospel the opportunity to repent and worship Him. The true worshipers of God will eventually become worshipers of Christ.
However, people refuse to acknowledge Christ as Lord not because of the lack of evidences, but because their values are antithetical to Christ’s:
a. The issue of dependence on self. They do not believe that life’s success comes from God. And that all things depends on one’s efforts and abilities. But at their wit’s end, they may still cry out to God. However, in no uncertain terms, they will not subject themselves under God’s rule. This is the arrogance of man, the pride of life that caused the downfall of Lucifer, and Adam.
b. The issue of personal rights and freedom. Their life goal is to fulfill the pleasures of the flesh, to possess or to dominate. They are indifferent to the needs of others and have little interest for the things of God. Such are fiercely focused on their personal needs and wants such that they have become apathetic towards the plight of others.
True worshippers desire to do what is right even though they are imperfect. They will also acknowledge their imperfections and the need for forgiveness.
God grants divine favour and authority to those who are united with Him
When believers love God with all their heart, soul and strength, and love others as ourselves, God will entrusts to them divine favour and authority to judge and to give life. Jesus entrusted divine authority to His disciples to forgive sins. Jesus said to His disciples, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.” (John 20:23). Hence, the more we are united with God, the more He grants us divine favour and authority to accomplish His work.
Many despite their long history as a believer couldn’t progress in divine authority. Even though they seem to be doing what everyone else is doing, they could not prosper. This is because they have issues of dependence on God and their motives are self-serving. Thus, they have decided on their own devices supposing it’s God’s responsibility to make them successful. They are oblivious to the fact that they have deviated from the divine path. Unless their motives are corrected and unless they return to the designated path, no divine authority will be entrusted to them.
Applications
What Would Jesus Do?
Whenever you are caught in a difficult and sticky situation, always ask yourself: what will Jesus do if He is in my situation? If we obey the divine conviction, we will see the Father working hand-in-glove with us. And we will soon experience miracles and breakthroughs in our church, family and work place.
If you are facing an unjust situation, a relational stalemate, and being mistreated with no recompense, consider what Jesus would do?
You are facing great hurdles in your work and there seem no solution in sight. And you feel like giving up and take an easy way out. What would Jesus do if He were in your shoes?
Come to God boldly and ask.
Are you curious what God is doing in the world around you? Boldly come to Him and ask what His Kingdom’s plans are concerning your church, family and nation. When you get yourself fully invested in His business, He will show you His plans and what you could do. God said,
“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
When God has spoken, be faithful to His directives. Do not turn to the left or to the right.
Dear Lord, I desire that kind of unity, love and trust that Jesus had with the Father. Help me to overcome my inclinations towards self-centered living and being blind to the truths and the will of God. I ask the Holy Spirit to help me as I yield my spirit, heart, mind and body to You. Cause me to be found faithful and worthy to receive Your anointing to do Your works. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.