John 5:31-47
Today's Passage: John 5:31-47
One word every parent tries to motivate their children to rid from their vocabulary is the word “can’t.” The reason for this is simple: oftentimes when kids say they “can’t” it really means they “just don’t want to.” Truth be told, capability isn’t the issue; it’s willingness.
Funnily enough, in this section of scripture, Jesus Himself uses the word “can’t.” Check this out in verse 30: “I can do nothing on my own.” WOW! What a statement by the matchless King of Kings and owner of everything. This verse is NOT to be read as a limitation on the power, authority, or deity of Jesus in any way. Rather, it is a declaration of Jesus’ dependence on His Father. He goes on to say that God’s testimony about Him is better than His own (v. 31), that God sent Him to do these works (v. 36-37), and that the scriptures bear witness about Him (v. 39).
For Jesus, capability wasn’t the issue; it’s willingness. Jesus was only willing to do what was in accordance with the will of His Father. It wasn’t about a lack of power; it was power under control. It wasn’t about inability; it was about humility. Nothing meant more to Jesus than obedience to God and He made Himself unwilling to cross lines if it wasn’t in the will of God.
Do we have that kind of dependence? Do we submit ourselves to say, like a child, “I won’t do that” if God is not pleased? Are you willing to humbly declare that kind of sole dependence on your Heavenly Father?
Let’s be like Jesus in this: no matter what comes our way, that we would say “I can’t,” if God is not glorified in it.
Written By: Drew Dukes
One word every parent tries to motivate their children to rid from their vocabulary is the word “can’t.” The reason for this is simple: oftentimes when kids say they “can’t” it really means they “just don’t want to.” Truth be told, capability isn’t the issue; it’s willingness.
Funnily enough, in this section of scripture, Jesus Himself uses the word “can’t.” Check this out in verse 30: “I can do nothing on my own.” WOW! What a statement by the matchless King of Kings and owner of everything. This verse is NOT to be read as a limitation on the power, authority, or deity of Jesus in any way. Rather, it is a declaration of Jesus’ dependence on His Father. He goes on to say that God’s testimony about Him is better than His own (v. 31), that God sent Him to do these works (v. 36-37), and that the scriptures bear witness about Him (v. 39).
For Jesus, capability wasn’t the issue; it’s willingness. Jesus was only willing to do what was in accordance with the will of His Father. It wasn’t about a lack of power; it was power under control. It wasn’t about inability; it was about humility. Nothing meant more to Jesus than obedience to God and He made Himself unwilling to cross lines if it wasn’t in the will of God.
Do we have that kind of dependence? Do we submit ourselves to say, like a child, “I won’t do that” if God is not pleased? Are you willing to humbly declare that kind of sole dependence on your Heavenly Father?
Let’s be like Jesus in this: no matter what comes our way, that we would say “I can’t,” if God is not glorified in it.
Written By: Drew Dukes
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