THE FATHER LOVES THE SON

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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It is hard to imagine being angry enough to kill someone because they performed an amazing miracle that clearly defies all known laws of physics and that brings nothing but good and joy to those involved. 

And yet, in today’s passage, we see that very thing at play. Jesus Christ did not allow the misguided rules of religion to stop him from showing the love of the Heavenly Father, even though it would cost him his life. 

16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” 

18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. 

(John 5:16-18 NIV11)

Preoccupied

The religious leaders showed no interest in those people who were being blessed through the signs and wonders performed by Jesus of Nazareth. Their hearts were so hard that they could not give God thanks for the healings and miracles that were all around them. 

Imagine being so preoccupied with the rules and regulations of religion that you could miss the very object of your worship, the presence of the very God you proclaimed to serve. And that is exactly what we see here.

The religious people were angry with Jesus because he dared to bring healing and love to all who came to him, no matter what day of the week it happened to be. 

My Father

Jesus’ reply to their silly complaints was to speak yet again to his true nature and identity. He made it clear that he was working in tandem with his Father. 

The religious folks knew exactly what Jesus was saying. They understood that Jesus was claiming to be of one substance and nature with the Creator. Their anger and murderous reaction demonstrated that there could not be any doubt that they heard Jesus claim to be one with Yahweh, the God of all Creation. 

Read what happened next:

19 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. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. 

21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. 

24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

(John 5:19-24 NIV11)

One

The reply Jesus gave in verses 19-20 speak to the unity between Jesus Christ and God the Father. Jesus’ comments about the Son not doing anything without the Father in no way limits the Son. Instead, this unity between Father and Son makes clear that Jesus was and is one with God the Father and one with the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus makes it plain that the reason that he, Jesus, is capable of doing all that he has done (which the religious people were annoyed about) is because he is loved by the Heavenly Father. 

No Mistake

In verses 21-24 we hear a clear and unequivocal proclamation by Jesus Christ that he is: 

•  Loved by the Father
•  Empowered to give life
•  Trusted completely by the Father
•  The Judge of all things

Jesus makes it clear that he and the Father are so united that if you disrespect one, you disrespect both. And in the same way, if you honor one, you honor both. 

Those who were persecuting Jesus because he dared to show the love of God at a time that the religious crowd thought inappropriate, were being put on notice. If you come after the Son, you will be picking a fight with the Eternal Judge and creator of all things. 

Meditation of Your Heart

As you go through your day today, consider the final part of this teaching from Jesus which says:

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”

Allow this truth from Jesus Christ to flood your mind throughout the day today. Roll it around in your head and talk about its meaning with those God puts in your path today. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

Copyright © 2024 Ryan Laden – All Rights Reserved.