John 5:17-24 Jesus’ Equality with 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.  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.

The subject of the Triune God is difficult to grasp.  In these verses, Jesus is declared the Son of God and equal to His Father.  All that makes God our God is found in the Son.  But the Son honors His Father and came to do His work. It can be said that Father-God is the fountainhead of the godhead for which Jesus is a member.  The Bible declares that competition with God was not something to be grasped, but instead He submitted His will to the Father and the Father’s will was that the Son be the judge of every man.

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, just as You surrendered Your will to the Father’s, let us do likewise.  You came to earth, yes to save, but also to be our example for godly living.  Therefore let us not think any more of ourselves than we ought, but instead let us identify with You as our all in all.  In Your holy name I pray Amen.