2/15/11- John 5:19- 23 A Test of Honor

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.

(Litmus Test- to tell if something is really a base or an acid)

Thoughts: Jesus claims divinity in several ways: 1) with the title "Son" (cf. Daniel 7 where "son"= messiah).  He claims divinity as 2) the giver of life.  In the Old Testament only God can kill and make alive (Deut. 32:39; 1 Sam. 2:6; 2 Kgs. 5:6).  In the Gospel of John- Jesus makes people alive now- giving them the abundnat life now (10:10).  He claims to 3) be the Judge (vs. 22).  Only the Righteous God can truly judge what is right or wrong, good or bad.  Only the watchmaker is best equipped to  tell whether the watch is working correctly.  He claims 4) to receive honor.  To not honor the Son is not to honor the Father- as not honoring the Prince means not honoring the power or authority of the King.  The Son gives life, judgment, and honor- so our test is whether we honor, follow, and give our lives to Him. 


Prayer: May I honor you, Jesus, as my Lord.  May my life as well as my words bring you honor.

John Calvin Commentary Abridged: We know that Christ was chosen, that the whole love of God might dwell in him, and might flow from him to us as from a full fountain.  Jesus then claims to be the author of life.  Christ found us dead, and gives us life now.  God not only raises us, but restors us (quickens) to life.  The Father governs the world in the person of the Son.  It is not that the Father sits in heaven with nothing to do.  Rather, He works in and through the Son, as the Son is the image of the invisible God.  The Father wishes to be acknowledged and worshipped (ie. honored) through the Son. the one who forms a conception of God without Christ takes away the half of him.