December 18 Father, Son, You

John 5:19-21 Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.”
 
THE Jews were trying hard to kill Jesus (John 5:18). Their charge was that Jesus had blasphemed – discredited – God because he had called God, “My Father.” Now Jesus defends his words.
   Firmly Jesus begins his defense with, “I tell you the truth.” The Word, who “in the beginning was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) spoke directly from heaven to his people. No prophet, rabbi, priest or teachers would dare say, “I tell you the truth.” This would be to say, in effect, “I am God.” All words from God were to begin with, “The Lord says.” or some reference to the spoken Word originating with God. “I tell you the truth.” is the Lord directly speaking to his people. Jesus is the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity completely responsive to the Father. As one God, whatever the Father does the Son also does.
   See also how this is a love relationship. “For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.” Love unifies the Son with the Father and the Father with the Son. This love within God becomes a uniting truth for our faith walk. The Father loves Jesus. Jesus loves us. We see what Jesus does. We do as Jesus does. Beautifully, the Lord defines this relationship in John 15:10 “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” 
   Jesus then elevates his work to resurrection. Jesus’ saving work is to create new life for us who are dead sin our sins. The Son has seen the Father repeatedly form new physical and spiritual life on earth. From Creation, the ark against the flood, the exodus, the return of the exiles and the Savior born in Bethlehem, the Father’s purpose has formed new life. The Son has seen the Father. And in response “the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.”
   Thus begins Jesus’ true teaching on his relationship with the Father. See the Father-Son love. This love leads to life. Think of this: Doing as Jesus does, you will bring joy to the Lord. John 15:11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, that you have faithfully loved the Father. I pray my love is as yours. I pray my love brings joy to you. Amen.