Posted on 10/16/2025 11:01:44 PM PDT by metmom
“Jesus answered and was saying to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel’” (John 5:19–20).
For a mere man to claim to be God was, to the Jews, outrageous blasphemy. Therefore if they had misunderstood Him, Jesus surely would have immediately and vehemently denied making such a claim. But instead, He became even more forceful and emphatic. In the strongest possible terms, the Lord assured His hearers that what He said to them was true.
He further defended His healing on the Sabbath by tying His activities directly to those of the Father. “The Son can do nothing of Himself,” Jesus declared, “unless it is something He sees the Father doing.” He always acted in perfect harmony with and subordination to the Father’s will. Thus His works paralleled those of the Father in both their nature and extent: “for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.” Christ’s statement is a clear declaration of His own divinity.
Jesus continued by declaring that the Father would show Him still greater works. His healing of the crippled man had amazed the crowds. But in obedience to the Father, Jesus predicted that He would perform even more spectacular deeds—deeds that would make His listeners marvel.
Ask Yourself
Is there any application of this principle for us—observing what the Father is doing, and then participating in those very things “in like manner”?
How could this become more than a theory, shielded from human error?
What would be some of the expected results from this kind of lifestyle and ministry approach?
Studying God’s Word ping
For a mere man to claim to be God was, to the Jews, outrageous blasphemy.
I’ve often been wondered why this was so. In the Torah, the most sacred of Jewish writings, God was present among His people when He wrestled with Jacob, then later appeared to Moses. Does it seem like such a stretch to believe that God was there with His people again when they needed Him most (during Roman occupation)?
Do we make the same mistake today? Do we refuse to believe that God can be with us?
Footsteps in the Sand - Jesus walks with us on the path of life.
Jesus had Parents, siblings and was raised on Earth.
A child grew up and was proclaiming to be God. It is indeed the truth, but I can see the thought process behind doubting it.
I think most people who watched a kid grow up, knew his Family, his parents, would assume the kid is crazy for proclaiming he is God.
Now and then.
...until they witnessed miracles.
I think you’re missing my point and ignorant of Jesus’ own words about Capernaum, his hometown.....
You can stop replying to me now, Thanks.
And think about How many people have preformed Miracles.
You claiming Moses and Peter were God with that logic? The ability to Preform Miracles is through God’s power. Miracles was nothing new in those times. Jesus even called himself a Prophet.
Which is why I deliberately ignored mentioning them. Preforming miracles does not show someone to be God, just God working through that person. Jesus could very well have been no different. We know that he is God, but they didn’t and I can see their reasoning why they wouldn’t believe.
You can stop replying to me now, Thanks.
Sounds like an ok request.
Uh, do I get to reply to THIS one, even though you have just asked me not to do so?
(I'm not replying...)
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