John 5:20-23
“But you haven’t seen the half of it yet, for in the same way that the Father raises the dead and creates life, so does the Son. The Son gives life to anyone he chooses. Neither he nor the Father shuts anyone out. The Father handed all authority to judge over to the Son so that the Son will be honored equally with the Father. Anyone who dishonors the Son, dishonors the Father, for it was the Father’s decision to put the Son in the place of honor.”
“For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished. For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants. In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.”
Neither the Son nor the Father shut people out, but their terms apply. Many want God on their own terms. How then could he be God? Any human relationship demands accountability to social rules. Why should our connection to God be any different?
God has put Jesus front and center in the place of honor. We cannot sneak by him nor lump him in with other deities. All of us must respond to his calling, one way or the other.
Lord, my Self likes to settle on your throne too easily. Forgive me. Convict me when I am besotted with my own importance. Grace me to change.