City Life Starter

By Joslyn Jayaram

Jesus Is Equal with God

18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

The Authority of the Son

19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father[a] does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Do you think you’re better than me?

Isn’t it entirely off-putting to meet someone who thinks he or she is better than everyone else? Who gave them the right? Who do they think they are?  This is how the Jews felt toward Jesus.  “Making himself equal with God” would mean placing himself higher than the religious authorities!  Jesus kept calling the God of the Universe, his father! He went on to talk about all his power and authority that God gave him! So who do you think you are, Jesus? Honestly better than everyone else?

Here’s what I love… Most people who believe they are better than everyone else usually go out of their way to show it and act like it.  Not Jesus. He could have made life so easy for himself!  I heard a great Bible teacher once describe it like this:  Jesus had the power to walk on water, yet, on those hot days in the Middle East, while he was teaching the crowds of people, he never used this power to cool off.  It could have been so easy! And so tempting! Teaching from the middle of the Sea of Galilee, walking on cool stage of water, and using a wave for his pulpit?! That would have been soooo boss! He didn’t do this, though.

The truth is, he had all the power and all the authority even to save himself from the Cross.

“Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” Matt 26:53 NIV

This was Jesus’ words to Peter when he betrayed him.  He had the authority.  He had the power.  He didn’t have to go to the Cross.  But he did.

You see, Jesus is equal with the Father God.   Jesus hung on the Cross not because he was powerless, but because he is love.

Prayer:

Jesus, You are so amazing like no one else in the world I know.  I pray the truth of who You are becoming more and more real to me today.  Thank You for Your amazing love.  Thank You that you used your position to make us all sons and daughters! What an awesome gift! Help us to use our positions in you to love others today. In Your awesome Name I pray, Amen.