SCRIPTURE: John 5:16-23
“Making himself equal with God.” (John 5:18)
Jesus is God/God’s Word made human (John 1:14, Philippians 2:6-7).
But in this passage, Jesus is talking about His human/Adam nature – as God’s representative on earth.
Adam was human, the son of God (Luke 3:38) made in God’s image, entrusted to do God’s work (Genesis 1:26-28).
Jesus was human, the son of God (Luke 1:35), made in God’s image (Colossians 1:15), entrusted to do God’s work (John 5:36).
Sinless Adam could say everything that Jesus says here in this passage.
Restored Adams (sons and daughters of God) can also say everything that Jesus says.
Yes, even the claim to restore life; not by ourselves but with the Father’s backing.
We are not eternally equal with God, like Jesus was as the Word of God.
But we are representationally equal to God, like Jesus was as the Son of God.
As God’s image-bearers, we are equal to God – we are His hands and feet and voices at work.
This is the Kingdom of God: this world under faithful Adam leadership.
Adam has been restored, in Jesus; all authority has been returned to Him (Matthew 28:18-20).
And when we stand with Jesus, we are restored too – totally by God’s grace.
This is why we can also do the ‘greater works’ that Jesus spoke of (John 5:20; John 14:12).
But to stand with Jesus, we need to work with Jesus, and with the Father.
Salvation is not sitting back and waiting for heaven.
Salvation is being restored to our Adam calling, ruling, caring and bringing LIFE to this world.
If we are not working with Jesus, we are not honouring Jesus, and not honouring God.
“Our Father is always at his work to this very day, and we too are working” (John 5:17)
Are we?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see how important I am, we are, in the world. Give us renewed confidence to do our work with Your help, so that we will see LIFE restored in Your creation.
Observation/Application
God is at work also today. Jesus is also at work gathering in His own.
God and the Son are One for they both do great things – creation, miracles, raising the dead, giving Life eternal. Yet all people must honour the Son in order to receive salvation. Believe in Him and you/me will be saved. As the Son honours His Father, so all believers/me must honour Jesus Christ.
Christ is at work also today through His people. His people must be at work for their Creator God and their Saviour all the time. There is no rest nor retirement from that activity.
Living for Him today and always.
Serving Him today and always.
God/Jesus is at work through His own both now and forevermore.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Refrain
Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Refrain
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.