Whoever does not honor the Son …

Devotional by David Niednagel, Pastor/Teacher, Evansville, IN.  David uses the S.O.A.P. method for his morning study time (study, observe, apply, pray).

John 5:19-29  

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 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. 25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.   ESV

In the two verses right before this the Jews wanted to kill Jesus for calling God/Yahweh his Father. Just this week I heard of a “liberal Christian” who said Jesus never claimed to be the Son of God. In :25-27 Jesus said “the son of man” (his favorite title for himself, which comes from Dan 7:13-14 about the Messiah who will rule over everything) is “the Son of God” and the Father has given Him/Jesus the right to give Eternal Life and to judge the world at the end of time! And if that was not enough, Jesus said if they didn’t honor Him (remember, they are trying to kill Him) neither did they honor the Father. Even people in graves will hear the voice of Jesus and spend eternity based on what He says about them! 

Lord Jesus, thank You for taking my judgment and giving me eternal life so I don’t fear Your wrath. Thank You for opening the eyes of my heart to understand who You are and what You have done for me. I desire to fully honor You at all times. Use my life and words to help many others realize that if they do not honor You as God, they do not honor the Father either. And use me to lead others to trust, honor and worship You forever!  Amen