Father and son

“The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished.”                   John 5.20

Jesus healed the sick man at the pool of Bethesda. But He had done so on a Sabbath, thereby incurring the wrath of the Jews. They started persecuting Him. In response, Jesus spoke of His intimate relationship with the Father. He and the Father are as one. Whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.

Whilst the law banned any activity that could possibly be seen, by the religious authorities that is, as work on the Sabbath, people still were born and people died on this day. This was God’s work. Similarly, as the Son is so one with the Father, the Son also is able to give life and healing on the Sabbath.

I note from this verse that the Father shows the Son all that He is doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son sees. Furthermore, the Son is enabled to do what the Father does.

I do not for a moment seek to present myself as equal to Jesus. No, indeed not! But I do take hold of my status, through Him, with the Father. Jesus has restored me to the relationship with the Father that I was created for. I have heard, in intimate moments, the Father tell me that He loves me just as He loves Jesus. This takes my breath away, yet there is no doubt in me that this is true.

I also have Jesus’ assurance from His own words: “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14.12)

No, I am not Jesus, but He has placed me in a favoured position. By His own words I am ordained to do works like He did. As I follow Him, my desire is that the Father will show me all that He Himself is doing, and will lead me into all manner of works that give life, and give it abundantly.

Most Holy God,

I come humbly before You. I do not presume, but I take hold of the words of my Saviour and Lord that I would do the works that He does and, indeed, greater works.

I pray, and earnestly ask, that You would show me all that You are doing. May I see You in the lives of those I meet? May I understand where they are at and what Your will and wish is for them? And may I be led by You to act in their lives as Jesus would if He were physically present on earth today?

Lord Jesus, I have undertaken to follow You. I give my life to this. I claim Your word to me that I will do the works that You do. You have promised, and I claim the promise. I want to be Your hands and feet in the world today.

I seek a deeper, and deepening, intimacy with You, with Father, Son and Spirit. Dear Holy Trinity, draw me close, reveal to me some of the secrets and mysteries of heaven. May I see people as You see them, and may I minister to them as You would.

I ask these things with a believing heart for I know that nothing, truly nothing is impossible for You.                                  Amen.

Do you want to be made well?

When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”                                              John 5.6

The man had suffered for thirty-eight years. We’re not told how long he had attended the pool at Bethesda, but his reason for not receiving healing was that no one helped him into the pool when the water was stirred. He had possibly waited a long time.

Jesus’ question is strangely relevant. When an illness is endured for an extended period, it can be difficult to let it go. Sickness brings attendant care, and sympathy. The sick person may be indulged, and be the focus of much attention. The thought of healing might raise the fear of no longer being “special”. The sickness is a familiar state and, therefore, held onto – if not enjoyed even!

I think, then, of sin. You might say sin is very much a way of life. We are born into sin; we live in a world of sin; we are surrounded by sinners. Sin is often automatic, and quite comfortable. Sin is even enjoyable. Sin can make me feel special.

So, how do I respond when Jesus says, “Do you want to be made well? Do you want to be released from your sin? Do you want to live in joy and eternal life with me?”

This gets me thinking about “the other side”. Sin may be enjoyable – at times! But the enjoyment does not last. Remorse quickly sets in, and this can be accompanied by guilt and shame. I know instinctively that this is not Godly. Indeed, I see shame and guilt as two of Satan’s principal weapons. No, ultimately sin is no fun!

But “the other side”!! Here I see freedom and joy. I see a happy Lord, my true companion. He is with me, and enjoying me. His face creases with a smile which bursts forth in joyous laughter. He is fun and He wants to share the fun, the life, and His very Self, with me. How can I refuse? How can I not say:

Yes, yes, precious Lord, I want to be made well. I want to be free of everything that keeps me from the fullness of You. I receive You and Your work of holy redemption. I choose to go Your way. Yes, I want to be made well!

I realise, Lord Jesus, that I cannot heal myself. I do not use this as an excuse but, rather, this is the reality. You are my healer, and my deliverer. I come to You and boldly ask for Your healing touch. I confess my sins, and seek Your forgiveness. I look to that life of joy and energy and completeness in You. Yes, Lord, with You I am complete. Gracious Lord, lead me into the pool, into the water of life, of abundant life in You. You are my all. I come in total surrender. Lead on, please, and journey with me. I choose to travel with You. You are my healer and my life. I love You, and I thank You, as I pray in Your powerful and precious name.                                      Amen

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Believed

Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way.                                                 John 4.50

The official’s son was ill and at the point of death. His father had sought Jesus out and begged Him to come and heal the boy. Instead of going to where the boy was, Jesus sent the father on his way, saying that the son would live. On the way, the father’s servants met him to say that his son was well. His recovery had begun the moment that Jesus had said,  “Your son will live.”

Jesus had spoken, and the man had believed. I see great truth and revelation here for all believers. When God speaks, truth is uttered. Whatever God says can be believed. The man profited greatly from believing the words of God through Jesus.

I reflect on the ways in which God speaks to me. He speaks clearly, and often, through His Word contained in the Bible. He speaks individually to me through thoughts that impress themselves in my mind. He speaks through the words and actions of friends. He speaks through books, magazines and other media. And He speaks through circumstances. When I sense that God might be speaking to me, I have a responsibility to assure myself, as much as is possible, that it is indeed God speaking to me. Following this I need to understand just what He’s saying – and I need to believe Him implicitly! Then, I need to be willing to follow through in anything He may ask of me.

Lord God,

I thank You that You speak to me. I know this and I rejoice in the relationship that enables it. I ask for clarity of thought and heart to know when it is You speaking to me and not a figment of my imagination.

I ask for wisdom and insight to understand exactly what You’re saying, and I pray for strength, determination and commitment to follow through in anything You might ask of me.

I delight in hearing from You. I pray this will continue and deepen. I ask this in Jesus’ name.                     Amen.

Without measure

He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. John 3.34

The Scripture is talking about Jesus, the one who comes from above. He is above all. He testifies to what He has seen and heard. He certifies that God is true.

He speaks the words of God. He speaks the truth. He is the truth. Everything that Jesus says is of God, and it is the truth. And the Spirit abounds in Him and through Him. There is no limit, no restriction on the measure of the Spirit with Jesus.

Jesus has promised this same Spirit to me. I am mindful that the Spirit comes without measure. I can receive the Spirit to the extent that is needed in whatever circumstance I am in or whatever situation I face. I can expect, and embrace, the fullness of the Spirit. And I do this, for I want the most that God has for me.

The Scripture speaks of Jesus and says, He whom God has sent speaks the words of God. I take these words for myself also. When God sends me, I want to speak forth His words. How may I do this? By waiting on Him in the time of preparation, by being alert to every thought and idea, to recognise the origin in Him, and by being expectant that He will speak to me and lead.

May I be sent by God, filled with His Spirit and equipped with His words, emboldened by Him to speak forth.

Loving God,

I embrace the truth that is Jesus, and I thank You.

I pray for the fullness of the Spirit to be with me, and Your words to fill me, guide me and empower me. I ask You to send me wherever You will. May I speak forth Your words with sincerity, love and warmth. May I show people just how much You care. May I work with You as You draw many to Christ. I am Yours, and I thank You for this wonderful state of being.              Amen.