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. 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. Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 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. 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.
Astonished is my word for today. I even like the sound of it; astonished. It captures the true meaning of the gospel for me. Full of wonder, amazement, excitement, etc… I would hope that everyone is “astonished” at Jesus’ works, but not only his works, his presence.
In this passage, there is some clarity to Jesus’ identity and authority. To the teller of the good news, in this case, John, Jesus is the full embodiment of God (the Father). Therefore, Jesus does nothing on his own. God works through him, and those who see are astonished.
God raises the dead, judges justly, and is to be honored and respected. Showing dishonor and disrespect to Jesus is showing the same to God. However, if we believe in Jesus (believe that he is the true embodiment of God) then we receive the promise of eternal existence with God – everlasting life. We pass from death to life.
The call today to me is believe. But, not just believe in - be in wonder and amazement that God has been fully embodied as a human. God has come close to us in the person of Jesus, so that we might know God, and believe. God loves us so completely that he wants us to be reconciled to God's self. God, the creator of all things, has promised that those who believe will not “die” but receive life and an eternity reconciled with the source of all being.
No comments:
Post a Comment