Read: John 5:1-21
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. (v. 19)
We live under the rule of a cosmic God, exerting his power through grand and marvelous processes—moving planets through their orbits, sunlight through our atmosphere, and life through every creature (Job 38-39). But in Jesus Christ, God chose to change residences, chose to become a human being—one man, one place, at one time. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
In today’s reading, we see a little of what it means for Almighty God to become flesh. Jesus encounters a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years, waiting daily at a pool of water hoping for a miracle cure (vv. 3, 5). Then God himself arrived at the pool. Jesus talked to the man, asking him, “Do you want to be healed?” (v. 6). After listening politely to evasive excuses, Jesus acted personally and immediately: “Get up, take up your bed, and walk” (v. 8).
We call this a “miracle,” but John’s gospel is showing us that it’s just God being God. He can touch you, one person, in one place, at one time—“for whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise” (v. 19).
As you pray, tell Jesus your need, and don’t be surprised when he responds.
About the Author
Fred Van Dyke is a conservation biologist dedicated to the care for God’s creation. In this role Fred has served government agencies, private consulting firms, and academic institutions doing research, management, and teaching in conservation science. He is also the author of two books on faith and environmental stewardship.
