Placing our confidence in this world’s leaders to do what is right before God seems foolish although I pray to see some godly wisdom all the time. Unless we seek God, we cannot make decisions that lead to godliness, because it is not innate in human nature to do so. We need eternal Life in order to achieve righteous direction which means the “fleshy self” of humanity—the part of us that demands our own way—must yield to God. Otherwise, we basically throw away our confidence (Heb 10:35-36).
Humanity does not hold ultimate control God does. When we know God, we know who holds tomorrow and trust his righteous plans for us. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb 4:16).
In our passage today, John reminds us Jesus is Life and the life he gives is new life for believers now while we are on earth AND resurrection life in Jesus’ second coming. For this reason, God’s Word reminds us to willingly bow to our Christ; the Father has delegated the final judgment to the Son. It will be the voice of Jesus who will summons all of humanity to a final resurrection and judgment.
When we need to draw on the eternal life within, we must ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” He taught he could do nothing by himself and we are living in Christ. Therefore, we need to place our confidence in Christ, because he is our source of Wisdom. Then, as we pray, let’s ask, “Jesus, what would you have me do?”
John 5:19-29 NLT
19 So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished. 21 For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants. 22 In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, 23 so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.
24 “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.
25 “And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. 26 The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son. 27 And he has given him authority to judge everyone because he is the Son of Man. 28 Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, 29 and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.
Prayer: Lord, we praise you for giving us eternal life and for being our Source of Wisdom and guidance. You offer salvation, but you never force us to follow you. May we willingly deny ourselves and realize there is no better way to live than in relationship with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.