Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is

Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”

- John 5:19-29

In yesterday’s reading, we read of Jesus’ healing of the paralytic at the pool called Bethesda. He was questioned by the authorities for doing so, because He told the paralytic to take up his mat and walk, a violation of scribal law. This is the third sign or miracle in John’s Gospel. Jesus then went on to proclaim Himself Son of God – a doubling of the violations that anger the authorities. In today’s reading, Jesus continues His answer to them.

Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.” Jesus’ statement here teaches about the equality and union of will and action in the Father and the Son. It is a revelation of Himself, and of the workings of the Divine – even unto the giving of life.

“For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” A powerful statement about judgment and faith. Do we hear the Father reflected in the words of Jesus? My study bible says: “The discourse here shows the Father and the Son are so united in nature, will, and action that the Son fully shares the divine attributes of giving life and executing judgment.”

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” A statement about the resurrection of all to life, and the authority of judgment. I think it’s significant that He adds, “Because He is Son of Man.” Not only is this the initiation of this period in which judgment must be understand in a timeless reality of the end of time, but as a real and present reality with us in a spiritual sense. Jesus has shared our life as Son of Man: His authority rests on this sharing of a complete and full life with us, as one of us. My study bible says, “This judgment is based on both faith and works. The two can be distinguished, but they cannot be separated. Those who respond to the Son of God in faith and who do good will receive the gift of eternal life.”

A note in my study bible teaches us as well: “That ‘hour’ is already present and ‘now is’ in that an encounter with Christ results in life or judgment as a present reality, depending upon one’s response.” What do you read in these words? How do you feel the resurrection, and judgment, is a kind of reality that is already at work in our present time, at each moment? It encourages us to go deeper into our faith, and to understand the important of choices in each moment, so that we are present to the full meanings and values open to us, and so that we may realize at an instant who we are in any encounter. How do you make your choices? Does the word of Christ bear the reality of the Father to you? It seems to me that, in order to fully be alive to all the power of life, we need to take our time and our moments, and each encounter, seriously – and be alive to the potential and possibility He brings.