Scripture: John 5:19 (ESV) – “So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.’”
Following the charge of blasphemy, Jesus doesn’t retreat—He presses further into His identity and relationship with the Father. He begins with the solemn phrase “Truly, truly” (amen, amen), emphasizing that what follows is not only true, but vitally important. And what does He reveal? That the Son lives in perfect obedience and unity with the Father.
Jesus is not claiming independence or rivalry. Rather, He shows us the profound mystery of the Trinity’s harmony: the Son does nothing apart from the Father, and yet, He does all that the Father does. There is no division in will, purpose, or power. This is not subordination in essence, but relational alignment in role. Jesus is not less than God; He is God the Son—perfectly reflecting and enacting the Father’s will.
William Gouge, writing on this passage, notes that this verse teaches us to adore both the humility of Christ in His incarnation and the majesty of Christ in His divinity. Though He humbled Himself to take on human flesh, His works are not merely those of a man—they are the very works of God. As Gouge puts it, “To see the Son at work is to see the Father revealed.”
Jesus is declaring here that every miracle, every teaching, every moment of His ministry is the visible outworking of the invisible Father’s will. This is how He can say to Philip later in John’s Gospel, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
For us, this verse is both doctrinally profound and devotionally rich. It assures us that when we see Jesus in the Gospels, we are not seeing a man who is merely “like God.” We are seeing God revealed. It also invites us to trust Jesus completely, because His every word and deed is grounded in the perfect will of God the Father.
Reflection Questions:
- What does it mean that Jesus only does what He sees the Father doing?
- How does this truth shape your understanding of Jesus’ authority and divinity?
- In what ways can you grow in trusting Jesus’ words and actions as the perfect revelation of God’s will?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for revealing Yourself in the Son. Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us the heart, the mercy, and the will of the Father in all You do. Help us to rest in the truth that Your words are the very words of God. Teach us to trust You fully, worship You rightly, and follow You humbly. Let us marvel at the unity between You and the Father, and live our lives under the guidance of that truth. Amen.
This devotional is based on John 5:19, grounded in the teaching of Pastor Chris Cousine and enriched by insights from William Gouge on the unity of the Godhead.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 