THE STORY OF JESUS: John 5:16-23
“Whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (John 5:19)
Jesus had a very special relationship with God.
Although we are not divine like Him (John 1:1ff), we are human like Him.
In this passage, Jesus is describing His fully human life.
He lives in perfect fellowship with, and obedience to, God.
All of the claims in this passage could have been expressed by Adam too.
We were created to relate with God, to reflect God, and to represent God.
We were authorized to do great things with God, like God, for God.
But sin changed all that, and God’s “very good” kingdom was ruined.
Thankfully God sent Jesus as a new Adam to beat Satan and reclaim Adam’s throne.
With Jesus, we learn to live like Jesus, for Jesus, as God’s children.
As Jesus followers, we do not claim to be God, but we do seek to be like God.
In our relationship with God – like Jesus – He shows us how to live.
We do nothing by ourselves, we only do what we see God doing!
And because He loves us, He will do ‘greater things’ through us too! (John 14:12)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, my authority is not my own, but entrusted from You to me, that I might reflect You in the world. Thank You for restoring me as God’s child. Help me to love and live like You, like God!
Two gleanings from today’s reading:
– The Father/God is always working like Jesus. They are present upholding the creation 24/7, 365 days a year. God’s love and mercy are always at work. Jesus’ work and therefore also mine is never finished and one can never take a break from that ministry – doing His will – living for Jesus.
-I am an example to others – to my family and beyond – a living epistle on living for Jesus. I need to be a person of integrity, being in tune with the Word and works of God. Others must see Christ in me, honouring the Father.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.