| Do we marvel at Jesus Christ? In every chapter of his Gospel, John adds brushstrokes to his breathtaking picture, and this chapter is no exception. We just learned that the Jewish leaders “were seeking all the more to kill [Jesus], because not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God” (John 5:18). In this tense moment, we would all understand if Jesus chose to back off the rhetoric and de-escalate the situation. But He does the opposite. “My Father is working until now,” Jesus says, “and I am working” (5:17). Then with His trademark “truly, truly,” He adds that He (the Son) can do nothing on His own but only what He sees the Father doing. He says that the Father loves the Son and shows Him all that He is doing. So in a few sentences, Jesus says enough to infuriate His opponents and captivate His disciples. Who would claim to be THE Son of THE Father? Who would suggest that he can see what the Father is doing? Who would boast that the Father loves him and shows him all that He is doing? Jesus does. In the same breath, Jesus makes an unmistakable claim to divinity and a shocking declaration of dependence. He is one with the Father, and yet He refuses to do anything on His own apart from the Father. Do we marvel at Jesus Christ?
Over 50 years ago Rabbi Abraham Heschel wrote, “As civilization advances, the sense of wonder declines.” Haven’t we seen this all around us? Why are we not in awe of air travel every time we step on a plane? Why do we not marvel at medical treatments that would have been unimaginable decades ago? Why are we not flabbergasted by the wonders of technology that we use every day? Making light of this reality, one comedian says, “Everything’s amazing, and no one is happy.” Where has our sense of wonder gone…and why? That’s a question to consider as we walk around a created world full of wonders. Why do we not marvel at coral sunsets, snow-capped mountains, aspen trees, ocean waves, and people made in the image of God? Even more, we should marvel at our Creator, who is truly wonder-ful. From his opening paragraphs, John makes the staggering claim that around 2,000 years ago, the Creator stepped into His creation. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). For a brief time, the Son showed us what the Father is like and what the Father is doing. Jesus did great works, and He promised to do even greater works (John 5:20). Why? So that we would MARVEL. We should marvel at these words in John 5, but we should marvel even more at the greater works that were to come: when Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave. Why would this only Son of the Father give Himself for us? As our exposure to the gospel advances, should our sense of wonder decline?
O Lord, help us to marvel at Your glory and grace! |
