...Like Son

John 5:1-23

We watch for a successful launch. Like Cape Canaveral observers positioned at a distance with cameras and watchful eyes to see if preparations and conditions will all combine to give boost to the space shuttle from the ground, overcoming gravitational Law to send shuttle and occupants on toward the targeted destination.

Yesterday, with 36 other families, Bee and I were such observers, watching our eldest child's confirmation class 'launch'. We hope all preparations and conditions will combine for them to be aimed and released into lives Sent by Him and for Him and unto Him. Yet, we fear dastard gravitational Law. We hope against hope that the flawed example of parents, our better telling than consistent living, the sheer hard reality of original sin we have inherently infected them by -- will not combine to abort this launch. We pray that these sons and daughters will deny the spiritual equivalent of the 2nd law of thermodynamics -- that entropy of generations in which too common each generation accentuates the fallenness of the preceding.

God, help my son live far better for Christ than I!

Jesus knows the power of generation. He explains (v. 19) the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. Jesus declares His Father's perfect love, and apprenticing guidance (v. 20a). His Father will show Jesus how to accomplish miraculous good beyond imagination (v.20b).

But what will astonish all launch observers of the universe most of all is how this perfect & powerful Father will endue to the Son His ways of resurrection, raising to life those who were dead. For just as the Father gives life to the those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants (v. 21).

And by that blessed 'launch' of Jesus the Son from God the Father, all my failings as human parent, and all deadly liability I pass on to my son, are covered.

Dear Father, be truest father to my son. Jesus, be perfect son by grace in his stead at every turn!

PPaul