Without changing keys Jesus is once again going to sing the same song of simple belief. Only this time, belief is tangled up in the midst of a dialogue Jesus having on His claim of equality with God.In fact, let's note 5 of these claims right here. Jesus is equal with God in:
- person :17-18
- works :19-20
- power and sovereignty :21
- judgement :22
- His honor :23
Text /
Equal in Person :17-18
As he's being persecuted by some of the Jewish leaders, instead of bowing down and resigning to their authority Jesus' claims of oneness with God the Father only become more clear and direct.'My Father is always at work...and I, too, am working.'
Just as my own son is one with me in name, blood and lineage - Jesus, as God incarnate, is proclaiming is oneness in personhood with God in heaven. Remember, if we've seen Jesus, we've seen the Father.
Side Note: Persecution for Breaking the Sabbath.
Jesus was working on the Sabbath, a legal day of rest. Jesus' push back was multifaceted:
- Genesis 1 'bara' - create in sustained action, ongoing. So even the Lords instituted day of rest was an act on His part as well as the Colossians 1 reality that Jesus was continuously holding all things together - even on the Sabbath.
- Jesus stated 'My Father is always at work' - there it is. God is at work.
- Mark 2:27-28 Sabbath was designed for mans sake, not to be lorded over man, but offered to him.
- Matthew 15:1-9 'Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?' A different context to be sure, but the heart is the same. The Pharisees were glad to create rules for their sake ignoring the Lords very Word in the meantime.
Equal in Works :19-20
Again, in the midst of an assassination plot against Him, Jesus continues on proclaiming his equality in divinity with God the Father regarding His works, signs and wonders.
'I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing...'
Incredible. And even in this aspect of their relationship Love is yet at the core (:20). Isn't this a demonstration as well that the very character of God the Father is found in Jesus the Son? The two are so divinely united that the Fathers love for Jesus eternally overflows into the world (3:16-17).
Equal in Power & Sovereignty :21
In the OT we see God at work as it pertains to life and death in pretty wild ways:
- Elijah 2 Kings 2
- The boy restored 2 Kings 4:32-35
Just as the Father has absolute sovereignty over life and death, Jesus does so as well. Just as the Father has authority over eternal life and death, Jesus does so as well.
'Just as the Father...even so the Son gives life to whom He is pleased to give it.'
In chapter 4 we read about the healing of the officials son, a physical saving. Before that in chapter 4 we read about the spiritual / eternal saving of the woman at the well. Jesus is sovereign in line with the Father over life and death.
Salvation is a gift entirely produced by the Lord. In chapter 6 we'll see just how gritty He is regarding His death on the cross and our belief in Him for life. However, here we simply catch the flavor that Jesus alone gives life, not of our own accord, not of the Law, not of a family tradition, not a parents will, not of series of works...Jesus gives - we receive.
Equal in Judgement :22
So Jesus also sits on the throne of judgement. All judgement. Eternal judgement. That all will bow down before the Living God is true (Philippians 2) - but that all with be bowing before the Father and the Son is Jesus' point here. He and Father are one in authority to Judge - what's more God has entrusted this duty with Jesus, His Son.
'the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgement to the Son'
Jesus goes on to qualify this, that just as the Father has / is life, Jesus also has life in Himself 'And [God] has given Him authority to judge because He is the Son of Man' (:26-27).
Jesus, as the Author and Sustainer of Life, has full authority to offer judgement on those who seeking eternal life (:28-29).
'I judge only as I hear, and my judgement is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him Who sent Me' (:30).
Because Jesus judges based on the Truth of Truth Himself, on the very character of the Father, on the host and source of creation, on the very law and fabric of Life - His judgement is Just. Jesus is not a good man with limited culturally relevant justifications. He is Eternal God who sees the moral end as the clearly as the beginning and holds creation to that standard.
Equal in Honor :23
Is it possible to glorify God and ignore Jesus? To be a worshipper and not worship Jesus and yet know God the Father? Is it possible to call God by any other name, to call Jesus a mere prophet or wise man etc. and honor the Creator?
'that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent Him.'
Praising God and bypassing Jesus doesn't honor the very one you might be intending to worship. If you were to mock my own son I would take personal offense. On the same line, if you were to honor my son I would take great pleasure, I would be honored both in the gift itself, but also in my relationship with honorable son who I love dearly.
There are branches of the Body of Christ who focus more deeply on knowing 'God' - there are others who focus on Jesus to the detriment of the Father and the Spirit - and there are those so engaged in being filled by the Spirit that Jesus and the Father are merely foundational realities - some branches even focus on the Church or the Patriarchs or post-NT church fathers and leaders.
To know Jesus is the know the Father. To know the Father truly is to engage Jesus. To engage the Father and the Son is to be filled with the Spirit to their glory.
Personalize /
'I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life...the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.'
Belief.
1. How are you engaging John's Story of Jesus up to this point? Are you continuing to filter the Gospel through your worldview OR are you engaging the Word as a Divine Text on His terms?
2. What about the equality of Jesus with the Father intrigues you? surprises you? confuses you? frustrates you? Why?
3. What is God teaching you anew in this passage? What are you going to do about it?
4. Pray. Talk with God the Father through Jesus the mediator and ask Him to continue to bring divine clarity in truth. To put your doubts and questions in proper place on your journey in Him.
Read MacArthur Study Bible #1587 regarding Equality.