Nothing, But Everything

Read: John 5:16-30

Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself.” John 5:19

IN WORD

Jesus had to know His assertion would be controversial. Many of the Jewish leaders believed that this is an age of God’s rest, and they had solid scriptural evidence for their belief. In the Ten Commandments themselves, God said the Sabbath was patterned after His own work. First He created, then He rested (Exodus 20:11). So when Jesus said in John 5:17 that the Father is always at His work, and therefore so is the Son, they became agitated. Not only was He contradicting their belief about God’s rest, He was calling God His Father and thereby elevating Himself to divinity.

But Jesus made it clear—to them and to us—that He was among us not as a man with divine advantages, but simply as a man. He is the example of what a human being can be and do when rightly related to God and in tune with His purposes and power. Whatever works Jesus could do, so could His followers. When He said the Son could do nothing by Himself, He was right. A human being can only do the works of God if empowered by God.

We don’t normally think that way. We assume that Jesus was exercising divine attributes as an exception to the human race, not as its example. He could resist temptation, heal people, and speak with God’s wisdom because He was the Son of God. Obviously we can’t be like Him, right? But Jesus assured His followers they would be able to continue in His work by the Spirit’s power (Matthew 10:8; John 14:12; Acts 1:8). The citizens of the Kingdom are stewards of the authority of the King.

IN DEED

Don’t fall for the “I’m only human” lie. There’s no “only” about it. If Jesus was “only human,” that should be our highest goal. Like Him, we can listen for the Father’s voice, watch what He is doing, and step into it with confidence that His power will accompany us there. Yes, we have a lot of learning to do, but He nevertheless calls us into a supernatural lifestyle. We can do nothing by ourselves. But with Him, nothing is impossible.

ADDITIONAL READING: Philippians 2:5-8

The miracles of Jesus were the ordinary works of His Father, wrought small and swift that we might take them in.

GEORGE MACDONALD