There is a text in John’s Gospel that speaks powerfully about the union between Jesus, the Son of God, and His Father in heaven:
19 Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own but only what he sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20 The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. 21 Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. 22 The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and does not come under judgment but has passed from death to life”
John 5:19-24.
In particular I am struck by the fact that Jesus acknowledges that He can do nothing on His own but only what He sees His Father doing, and that whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. Here is my thought: If Jesus and the Father are that unified, what gives me any leeway to behave any other way with Jesus than in complete union with Him? In other words, are you and I not also obligated to understand — and to do in our own lives — exactly what Jesus and His Father do? So my pray and desire is to do in my own life everything that Jesus does, and to do nothing that Son does not do. Whatever I see Jesus doing in the Scriptures and in my own personal life — that is what I must do as well.
So every time I am to make a decision, the question then becomes, What do I see that Jesus would do in this specific situation. If I can see Jesus doing this, then I am ok to do it, but if I know Jesus would not do this, then I must obey and follow him. Is this the wise thing for me to do in my life? That is another way for me to ask the question, day in and day out.
This calls me to see how crucial it is in my life to read and think deeply about — and to obey — everything I read in the Bible. So let us pray for one another that we will all do this, every day. May we do everything jesus tells us to do!
Lord Jesus Christ Son of the living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” 1 Peter 2:21.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father” John 14:12.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” Philippians 2:3-5.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” 1 John 2:15.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6.
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