DECEMBER 13 - DAY 15
John 5:31-47
Frank A. James
Like Father Like Son
Miguel de Cervantes defined a proverb as "a short sentence based on long experience.” No one knows the origin of this ancient proverb "Like father like son,” but 2500 years ago the Hebrew prophet Ezekiel noted the existence of a similar proverb "like mother like daughter” (Ezek.16:44). Undoubtedly the masculine counterpart must have been common usage as well. It is not too much to say that this ancient proverb has been around as long as there have been fathers and sons.
In John 5, Jewish leaders in Jerusalem were disturbed that Jesus was healing on the Sabbath and calling God his father. In response, Jesus declares in effect: "like father like son.” Jesus explains why he heals the sick as well as why he heals on the Sabbath in verse 17: "My Father is still working, and I also am working.” In the ancient near east, sons typically learned the family business and became apprentices to their fathers. Jesus simply declares that he is his Father’s apprentice and since his Father works on the Sabbath, so does the son.
Jesus does not ask the Jewish leaders simply to accept his assertion, but he proves that he is his father’s son by invoking a series of witnesses: John the Baptist, Jesus’ own miraculous works, God the Father, and indeed the Scriptures themselves. These unassailable testimonies bore witness that Jesus was indeed his Father’s son.
John 5:31-47
Frank A. James
Like Father Like Son
Miguel de Cervantes defined a proverb as "a short sentence based on long experience.” No one knows the origin of this ancient proverb "Like father like son,” but 2500 years ago the Hebrew prophet Ezekiel noted the existence of a similar proverb "like mother like daughter” (Ezek.16:44). Undoubtedly the masculine counterpart must have been common usage as well. It is not too much to say that this ancient proverb has been around as long as there have been fathers and sons.
In John 5, Jewish leaders in Jerusalem were disturbed that Jesus was healing on the Sabbath and calling God his father. In response, Jesus declares in effect: "like father like son.” Jesus explains why he heals the sick as well as why he heals on the Sabbath in verse 17: "My Father is still working, and I also am working.” In the ancient near east, sons typically learned the family business and became apprentices to their fathers. Jesus simply declares that he is his Father’s apprentice and since his Father works on the Sabbath, so does the son.
Jesus does not ask the Jewish leaders simply to accept his assertion, but he proves that he is his father’s son by invoking a series of witnesses: John the Baptist, Jesus’ own miraculous works, God the Father, and indeed the Scriptures themselves. These unassailable testimonies bore witness that Jesus was indeed his Father’s son.
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