John 5:18-29
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.
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 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.
Reflection
The conflict intensifies between Jesus and the Jewish leaders —a rivalry that would eventually lead to his crucifixion. Why the hostility? It was not just because of Jesus’ Sabbath breaking, but because Jesus claimed a unique relationship with God as his Father— a claim that rightfully gave him divine status but that amounted to blasphemy in the eyes of the Jews (John 5:18). But Jesus did not back down. He claimed the Father’s works as his own, including the seemingly wild claim that he could raise the dead to life. Yet the claims of Christ were not empty. His resurrection of Lazarus from the dead (11:1–44) was only one of the many ways in which he demonstrated his divine identity.
Because he is the Son of God, to honor Jesus is to honor the Father (5:23). In fact, we too can personally know God as our Father if we put our faith in Jesus (1:12; 14:9). We pass from judgment to life because Jesus took our judgment on the cross (5:22–24; cf. 2 Cor. 5:21). Our adoption is secured because Jesus has removed God’s wrath.
Philemon 21-25
21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Reflection
Paul concludes the letter in a confident tone, knowing that Philemon will receive Onesimus back unconditionally and wholeheartedly (Philem. 21). Paul can do this because he knows that the unconditional and wholehearted love of God in Christ that has so transformed him has also transformed Philemon. Christ has not only paid the penalty for our sins; he now gives us the power, through grace supplied by his Spirit, to live changed lives—lives of reconciliation and peace, of unity and mutual servanthood.
Psalm 40:11-12
11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me! 12 For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.
God’s acceptance of us is without reservation because of the sacrifice of his Son. Ask him to give you the same wholehearted acceptance of those who have confessed their sins to you, showing the same grace and forgiveness that Christ has shown to you.