”Jesus gave them this answer: "Very truly I tell you, 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.
John 5:19New International Version (NIV)
John 5:19 Devotional
I only do what I see my Father do
John 5:19 is a record of Jesus Christ’s saying that “He only did what He saw His Father do”, which was an affirmation of Jesus’ Sonship to (and equality with) God. This was a claim that put Jesus at loggerheads with the Jews.
Nevertheless, verse 19 is the beginning of a monologue in which Jesus claimed to be God. And what this monologue special is the fact that Jesus argued for the same in a greater way than He had done before.
Remember, the Jews had rejected Jesus. John 5:16 records how the Jews persecuted Him for healing on the Sabbath. And in John 5:17, Jesus is recorded telling the Jews that He was working just as His Father was working.
Consequently, the Jews sought to kill Jesus for breaking the Sabbath and referring to God as His Father, and equating Himself with God (John 5:18).
Therefore, John chapter 5 verse 19 is a record of Jesus confronting the Jews on their rejection of His divinity. And as He did so, He ended up expositing on His relationship and unity with His Father. And the crux of His exposition was that He was not at odds with God (the Father). If anything, He and His Father were working together in unison and perfect harmony toward their common purpose – they had one purpose. And Jesus was their agent on earth.
An Example of Sonship
Further, by doing what God did, Jesus gave us an example of true sonship. That is, true sonship involves implementing God’s will.
Similarly, you too, are God’s son (John 1:12). And your conduct (obedience) affirms who and whom’s you are. Thus, obedience according to God’s will and submission are at the core of identity (the reverse is also true).
Prayer/Blessing
Lord, I desire to live a life of obedience to You. Grant me the boldness to do so in your Name and Spirit. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
May God grant you the grace to do according to His will through His Spirit. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Deuteronomy 21-23 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
