How does John 5:20 reveal the relationship between the Father and the Son? Setting the Scene John 5 opens with Jesus healing a paralyzed man on the Sabbath, provoking the religious leaders. In His defense, Jesus speaks of His unique relationship with the Father. Verse 20 is the hinge: “For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does. And He will show Him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.” (John 5:20) Key Phrase: “The Father loves the Son” • The verb “loves” (Greek phileō) speaks of warm affection, not mere duty. • This love is eternal and personal, echoing John 3:35: “The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands”. • The relationship is not hierarchical in value but relational in order: Father loving, Son beloved. Total Transparency Between Father and Son • “Shows Him all He does” reveals complete disclosure. Nothing in the Father’s will is hidden from the Son. • This mirrors John 1:18: “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest fellowship with the Father, has made Him known.” • The Son’s works are the Father’s works; the Father’s agenda is perfectly communicated to the Son. Shared Works, Shared Authority • The statement anticipates greater miracles—resurrection and judgment (John 5:21–22). • By sharing the Father’s works, the Son shares divine prerogatives: – Giving life (John 5:21) – Exercising judgment (John 5:22–23) • Hebrews 1:3 affirms the same reality: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature.” • The unity is so tight that Jesus can later state, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Purpose: Our Amazement and Faith • “So that you will be amazed” is not mere astonishment; it is intended to lead observers to trust. • Signs point to the identity of Jesus as Messiah and Son of God (John 20:31). • The Father’s revelation of “greater works” culminates at the cross and resurrection—events that invite belief and worship. Putting It All Together John 5:20 unveils a relationship marked by: 1. Intimate, affectionate love. 2. Complete mutual knowledge. 3. Shared divine works and authority. 4. A united mission to reveal God’s glory and draw people to faith. The verse shows that Father and Son operate in perfect harmony: the Father loving, revealing, and authorizing; the Son receiving, obeying, and executing—all so we might behold and believe. |
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