John 5:19 “Jesus gave them this answer: ‘Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.’”
This verse doesn’t reveal an inability in Christ, but rather is emphasizing the total unity of purpose and action of the Trinity. The very thing the Pharisees accused Jesus of was in reality what he was saying he was … God’s own Son. Being one with the Father enabled him to exhibit his Father’s characteristics and actions. In effect, Jesus is representing himself as the perfect Semitic son in that they are to emulate their father’s thoughts and actions.
As with Jehovah God, there is nothing Jesus cannot do. He was and is able to do things with the same power and authority as the Father. If Jesus did things apart from the Father that would make him autonomous or independent of any outside influences, namely God. Jesus voluntarily and willingly followed his Father’s example.
Jesus is unique in several areas; he has an uncommon sensitivity to God’s voice in that it was and is not affected by sin. He is also unique because he is God’s One and Only Son. It should be obvious that his uniqueness is capped by the fact that he alone can cleanse us of all our sin because his blood was spotless. No one else could ever say this.
It requires faith & trust to believe all this, but that is the nature of Christianity. Believing that which cannot be seen as if it can be. Once you reach that point your trust needs to allow you to live according to God’s life-giving standards. It can take courage without fear to accomplish this; that is what the Holy Spirit is there for. To guide and direct us all into godly living. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resources: Reformation Study Bible; https://www.gills-exposition-of-the-bible/.
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