John 5: 18-24 Jesus' equality with Father-God

For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. out of death into life. 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. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

Much of what Jesus said was stinging and hard to swallow. There was nobody who came before him from Abraham to Moses who could make the claims Jesus does. Here, he is telling the Jews that he is the Son of God and has seen him and knows him, and that all authority for judgment has been given over to him by the Father. The religious leaders understand that such statements require that they worship him just as they do God. In their flesh, they cannot do that, so they planned to do away with him. Jesus reminds them that if you don't love the son whom the Father has sent, neigher do you love the Father.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, it is a blessing to be in the fullness of times where full revelation has been given before my birth. Looking back, it is easy for me to believe and billions world-wide have also. But woe to those who resist you today. With only belief necessary to be placed in right standing with God, who will save them if they don't come to you? Draw near to those in my family and in my church who are far from you. Bring them to yourself and save them from the judgment to come. In your holy name I pray Amen.