John 5:19-29 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
In our passage today, Jesus is telling those around him about his devotion to the Father; Almighty God directs his every step. This devotion to live the divine nature drives Christ into absolute unity with the Father. He does nothing on his own. Wouldn’t we be powerful if we would just stop trying to control and drive our own lives and instead allow the Father to lovingly guide them? Jesus has the power to bring us that kind of life—eternal life—if we will welcome it, listen carefully, and obey the Word. The radical obedience of Christ has positioned and raised him for authority; he is the Giver of Life and the Judge of humanity. Let the Word of God raise you up!
John 5:19-29 The Son’s Authority
19 Jesus told the people:
I tell you for certain that the Son cannot do anything on his own. He can do only what he sees the Father doing, and he does exactly what he sees the Father do. 20 The Father loves the Son and has shown him everything he does. The Father will show him even greater things, and you will be amazed. 21 Just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants to.
22 The Father doesn’t judge anyone, but he has made his Son the judge of everyone. 23 The Father wants all people to honor the Son as much as they honor him. When anyone refuses to honor the Son, that is the same as refusing to honor the Father who sent him. 24 I tell you for certain that everyone who hears my message and has faith in the one who sent me has eternal life and will never be condemned. They have already gone from death to life.
25 I tell you for certain that the time will come, and it is already here, when all of the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen to it will live! 26 The Father has the power to give life, and he has given that same power to the Son. 27 And he has given his Son the right to judge everyone, because he is the Son of Man.
28 Don’t be surprised! The time will come when all of the dead will hear the voice of the Son of Man, 29 and they will come out of their graves. Everyone who has done good things will rise to life, but everyone who has done evil things will rise and be condemned.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for revealing the amazing way you lived in unity with the Father while on earth. Help me to welcome your Word, listen, and obey. In Jesus’ name. Amen.