Day 26

“By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” — John 5:30

One of the great statements in Scripture about the person of Jesus Christ is found in Philippians 2:6-8. “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!”

Rich in its summary of the person and work of Jesus, Paul wrote this not to give a heavy dose of theology, but to teach us that our attitudes should be the same as Jesus Christ, or as the King James translation puts it, “Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).

When God clothed Himself in humanity, He demonstrated the true nature of humanity. He “made Himself nothing”, not in terms of His value or dignity, but in terms of His ability. Jesus disclaimed being responsible for any miracle He performed or for any of His teachings. ‘I myself do nothing’ (John 5:19; 5:30; 8:28). He taught that ‘it is not my words and not my works, but it is the Father in me who is doing His work’ (John 14.10). If this is true humanity, it is hugely encouraging to know that God expects nothing to derive from us, but from His presence and activity in us.

We have different abilities and talents, of course, but if we exercise those in human strength, as far as God is concerned, we’ll accomplish nothing. Jesus said, “By myself I can do nothing” (John 5:30). As a man on earth, He recognized His absolute dependency upon His Father in all He said and did, and the marvellous thing is that as we live in obedience to Him and dependence on Him, we can rest in His strength to accomplish what God has called us to do.

In sending His Son, God has exemplified in Jesus Christ the mind, attitude and disposition which characterize the Christian life. If we are going to please God and find the fulfillment we are intended to have, then we must acquire the mindset of Christ and live in complete dependency upon Him as He did upon His Father.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the supreme example you’ve given us in the life of Jesus. Thank you for the bible, where we learn about him, and for your holy spirit who allows us to come to know him personally. Keep me ever vigilant, lord, to be dependent upon you, not only for my everyday needs, but in everything you have called me to do.

To reflect upon: How has the example of Jesus Christ, living in dependence upon His Father, made a difference in my life? Am I consciously doing the same, living in day to day dependency on Christ, and am I completely trusting in His strength and sufficiency in all God has for me to do?