19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these.
Calling attention to the importance of His declaration, Jesus tells His listeners He is the full disclosure of His Father’s works. It is impossible for Him to act separately as He Himself is very God of very God. Jesus Christ is Yahweh-God – the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form - fully God and fully Man. Paul tells us in Colossians:
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Col 1:15-20 (NIV)
Jesus is the exact representation and the manifestation of His Father. The writer of Hebrews gives us the following description:
3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Heb 1:2-3 (NIV)
One day all will acknowledge that Jesus is who He claimed to be – eventually everyone will acknowledge His sovereignty - unfortunately for many it will then be too late for the salvation of their souls. The prophet Isaiah tells us:
22 "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. 23 By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. Isaiah 45:22-23 (NIV)
Paul also urges us with the following words in 2 Corinthians as well:
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:18-21 (NIV)
As Jesus came as our Mediator, Savior and Deliverer, He also came as our Example that we, through the power of the Holy Spirit, should walk as He. We are told by John:
6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 (NIV)
“Christ became what we are that He might make us what He is.” Athanasius of Alexandria
We find in the gospel of John the following Words from our Lord:
12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. John 14:12-13 (NIV)
Paul gives us further depth and clarity to this command by stressing our attitudes, denial of self; humility and love for God as the prompters for our actions. He tells us in Philippians:
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:5-11 (NIV)
“All true knowledge of God is born out of obedience.” John Calvin
“The greatness of a man’s power is the measure of his surrender.” William Booth
“Ask me not where I live or what I like to eat...Ask me what I am living for and what I think is keeping me from living fully for that.” Thomas Merton