John 5:19-23 CSB
Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things. [20] For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing, and he will show him greater works than these so that you will be amazed. [21] And just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to whom he wants. [22] The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, [23] so that all people may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
Matthew 3:16-17 CSB
When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. [17] And a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased."
Son of God
When I was young, and even to this day, the concept of the Trinity has been hard to grasp. How can God be three separate entities but also one? Some have tried to explain it using the analogy of water: it freezes into ice, flows as liquid, and warms into steam. However, this is actually a view called Modalism—the belief that God is a single person who simply appears in different modes or roles. The biblical Trinity is different. It reveals that God is three distinct, co-eternal persons who are one in essence. If you see one, you see the others. My brain can wrestle with this all day long, but then I remember that some mysteries are simply beyond me in this earthly vessel with its limited vision. I rely on the Bible to confirm the truth, even when I cannot fully understand it.
Is there a time in the Bible when all three are present at once? Yes. A perfect example is the baptism of Jesus in Matthew. We see the Son in the water, the Spirit descending like a dove, and the Father’s voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son.” Many have died throughout history proclaiming this truth, and Christians still suffer for it today. The world might say it is okay to call Jesus a great prophet, but to claim He is the Son of God who physically suffered and died to save mankind can lead to torture or death in some countries. Even in nations considered “Christian,” we are beginning to see the stirrings of persecution for this belief.
The Gospel of John begins by stating clearly that Jesus is God, that all things were created through Him, and that He is the Light of the world. This is a theme reinforced throughout his writing. John lived at the Teacher’s feet; he remembered the Teacher’s words and wrote them down so we could reflect on them today.
Jesus’ words show that He has an intimate, eternal relationship with the Father. His ministry shows that He is equal to the Father in essence, yet He chooses a position of submission to the Father’s will. As I was growing up, I idolized my earthly father. He was bigger than life to me. Though he has passed from this life, I still remember the lessons he taught about love, caring for family, being a protector, and working hard. Even with his human imperfections, I modeled myself after him.
My earthly father is great in my eyes and I love him. My love for my earthly father never stops, but Jesus has a greater relationship with His Father. They are one. Jesus lives in this perfect, intimate relationship where the Father’s love shows the Son everything He is doing. Jesus had just healed the man at the Pool of Bethesda, but He promised that those listening would see even greater signs than that. The Father has hidden nothing from the Son.
Jesus’ Father has given Him the right to raise the dead and has placed all judgment into the Son’s hands. The “soft baby in the manger”—the one who entered the world without fanfare—is given honor above all others. Every knee will bow to our Lord Jesus. We bow down in great gratitude because our Savior is humble and loving; He cares for us and intercedes for us. Even now, He sits at the right hand of the Father, having given us the gift of the Holy Spirit so that we would never have to walk in our faith alone.
Reflection Questions
- In John 5:20, it says the Father loves the Son and shows Him everything He is doing. Thinking back to the lessons someone important in your life taught you, how does that ‘modeling’ help you understand how to follow God’s will today?
- Why do you think the world finds the claim that Jesus is the “Son of God” more offensive than simply calling Him a “good teacher”?
- Just as Jesus modeled Himself after the Father, who is modeling your spiritual life?
Prayer
Father,
We admit that Your greatness is a mystery beyond our full understanding. Thank You for revealing Yourself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We thank You, Jesus, for Your humble obedience and for being our Intercessor. Holy Spirit, thank You for being our Comforter so that we are never alone. Help us to honor the Son just as we honor the Father, and give us the strength to stand firm in this truth.
Amen.
