Equality

Equality

¹⁹ Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for Whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. ²⁰ For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater words than these, that you may marvel. ²¹ For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.

Daniel the prophet first used the term Son of Man to describe Christ. Christ during his earthly ministry, frequently referred to Himself as the Son of man a title that emphasized His humanity and gave validity to Daniel the prophet. But this also implied His Messiahship. But in this instance, Jesus clearly means “the Son of God.” This is clear in that He uses it in connection with the Father, and from His reference to the Son of God which comes later in John 5:25.

Why is this significant? Because when the Jews accused Jesus of claiming deity, He went on to explain and amplify that claim rather than to minimize it in any way.

Christ went on to say, that “Of Himself” or “From Himself,” that is by his own accord or his own initiative He could do nothing except that which comes from the Father.

Jesus makes this statement complete by saying “sees the Father doing.” Jesus’ deeds were therefore in complete harmony with the way in which God treats mankind. Moreover, this was God’s supreme expression of HIs loving concern for man. This is why Jesus could so completely tell us of the character of the Father. For it was possible only because the Son gave His entire obedience to the Father’s will.

Yet even as the Jewish leaders condemned Him for this act of healing on the Sabbath, Jesus said, “The Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.” This is truly a remarkable statement by Christ.

For if we continue with verse twenty-one, Jesus states before the religious and civil authorities, “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.

The Sadducees which where a group of priests that were a part of the Sanhedrin did not believe in life after death or the possibility of a resurrection. Jesus now stands before them saying, The Father raises the dead and gives life to them, and so do I give life to whom I will.

The Old King James version puts it this way. “the Son Quickeneth.” The statement applies both to Jesus’ power to raise the dead “at the last trump” (I Corinthians 15:52) and to His power to give new life to every Christian experiencing the new birth (see John 3:3).

Years later Jewish literature indicates that the resurrection was considered to be a work of the Messiah; in the present discourse, Jesus was not emphasizing His Messiahship, but rather His deity.

Christ was speaking not only of the resurrection of the dead, but also the spiritual resurrection of all those who are spiritually dead that accept the Messiah as their Saviour.

Let us remember that Jesus started this statement by saying, “Verily, Verily I say unto you” (KJV). In Newer translations the Verily, Verily, is changed to “Most assuredly I say to you.” John the beloved is telling us with this statement that what is about to be said by Jesus is indeed the truth. The truth that not only rests with Jesus, but also comes from the Father. The God the Father and Christ act as one, each being inseparable from the other.

This is the same relationship Christ is longing to have with each and every one of his followers. Jesus came, served and was put to death so that each of us could have this same relationship with Him and with His Father. The same relationship that God has with the Son of Man.

The decision is ours for no one can make it for us. Christ invites us to establish a relationship with Him. He will never fail us. Though tempted and through trials Satan will attempt to separate us from Jesus, Jesus has promised to always be with us as the Father was with Jesus.

Make the decision for Christ today for He longs to have a relationship with you.