John 5:19–24 (ESV)
The Authority of the Son
19
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he
himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,
23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment,
but has passed from death to life.
I have often heard the phrase “The apple didn’t fall far from the tree”. I know that my Dad was my hero and I wanted to be just like him.
I did go a different career path than he did, but my Dad shaped me into who I am. This is not true for everybody. Some people come from problem families and don’t want to be like their parents. I understand this and wish they could
have grown up in different circumstances. But back to the reading. Jesus is basically stating that I do what my Father does because I am like my Father. This is an extension of verse 18 in which Jesus makes the statement of “making
himself equal with God.” He takes it a step further and says that the Father raises the dead as well as the Son. The Jews are hearing Jesus make claims that they can’t process, because they don’t want to hear it. Jesus even
goes on to say he is the judge. Jesus makes a statement then similar to John 3.16 that states “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal live. He does not come into judgment, but has passed
from death to life.” Jesus is telling them that he is the Messiah.
I pray: O Lord, you are the creator of all things. Just as the Father is God, you are God. Not a different God,
but part of the Trinity: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I also acknowledge you as Judge and that whoever believes in you has everlasting life. I confess I have sinned and fallen short. I repent and want to do better. My trust is
in you, O Lord. Forgive me and renew me, restore my soul and return the joy of your salvation to me. Amen.