Thoughts on the Gospel of John (59) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

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 honour the Son just as they honour the Father. He who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him.
John 5: 21 - 23.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (59)
Up to the fifth chapter John's gospel reports three miraculous signs that Jesus did: turning water into wine and two healings. The heavenly Father would soon show His Son even greater works that He was to perform: He would raise the dead, give life and exercise judgment.

Since creation there can be no doubt that God alone can give life. That characterised the Father, and the Son of God equally so. The Son acts with the same sovereignty as the Father. He "gives life to whom he will."

It is striking that a distinction is made in our text between "raising the dead" and "giving life". Those who reject the Son of God will one day experience physical resurrection and exist eternally, but far from God in the lake of fire. This existence is therefore not designated as "life" (cf. .

One of God's irrefutable principles states: all should honour the Son.. Nobody is excluded. Whoever refuses to honour the Son of God equally as the Father on earth will be forced to do so when confronted with Him as Judge. But then his sad fate is sealed for ever. It is not possible to honour the Father without honouring the Son.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today‘s reading: 1 Kings 22: 19 - 40 · John 15: 1 - 8