The Year of our Lord, Jesus Christ
John 5:19
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
The fifth Verily, verily statement that the Lord made was about His ability. It is an unbelievable statement but true, nonetheless. Jesus said that He can do nothing of himself. Amazing! The Lord Jesus Christ during His time on earth was totally and absolutely dependent upon His Father. Thus, He is our example because later on in the Gospel of John Jesus told us something similar. Consider John 15:5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Just as Jesus was completely dependent upon His Heavenly Father, so too are we completely dependent upon Him. Jesus could do nothing without the Father; we can do nothing without Jesus.
So, this Verily, verily statement proves something supernatural. It proves on one hand that everything Jesus did He did in the power, leadership and approval of God the Father. On the other hand it proves that, by extension, we can do nothing without the power, leadership and approval of the Lord Jesus Christ. No doubt many have tried to do spiritual things in their own power, according to their own will, and with human rational and logic only to see that work fail.
In passing, notice the last word of today’s verse. Likewise. Jesus did all things like His Father. We are to do all things like the Son. We are to pray like the Son, work like the Son, forgive like the Son, love like the Son, live righteously like the Son, extend grace, mercy, and make peace all like the Son. As proof, consider John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. To do the things Jesus did, let us serve others. Now, that is a Verily, verily lesson.
Until next time,
William T. Howe, Ph.D.
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