Making Himself Equal With God

SCRIPTURE: John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

OBSERVATION: "Making Himself equal with God." This is a definite problem for some people, then and now. And yet it is something about which Jesus was very clear. This was the main theological sticking point for the Jews of that day, for early Christian heresies and for some cults today. They may be willing to say many things about Jesus, but not that He is God.

In this chapter, Jesus gave specific ways in which He was equal with the Father:

• Actions/Power. Jesus did the same things and in the same way (manner) as the Father. He was equal in power, being omnipotent.


• Resurrection. The authority to raise life from the dead. Only God has that power. Jesus has that power.


• Judgement. To hold people accountable for their actions and provide ultimate justice. All judgment has been committed to the Son.


• Honor. Honoring Jesus is equivalent to honoring the Father. The Son is equal in honor to the Father.


• Eternal Life. The eternity of Jesus is equal to the Father. Jesus will consummate the ages to usher in eternity.


• Scripture. The validation which comes from scripture belongs to Jesus.

In every way, these are only a few, Jesus is equal with God. He said it because it's true. His enemies didn't like it.

APPLICATION: Many groups today can't handle Jesus' equality with God. I think of the Jehovah's Witnesses who refuse to give Him those credentials. When I am confronted by anyone wanting to discuss their faith, there are two benchmark questions I should ask that tell me how to proceed:

1- Who is Jesus?

2- Why did Jesus come?

A third could be: "How do we receive eternal life?" The answer to these questions will tell a lot about who I'm dealing with and help focus on the real important issues. Don't argue about fringe issues. Stick with the ones that really matter.

PRAYER: Jesus, You are God! As God, You alone were qualified to die in my place to secure for me eternal life. As Thomas declared, so do I: "My Lord and My God!" I praise You. Amen.