“For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father has been working until now, and I am working.’”

The Sabbath is a doctrine where God works in us, but we do not. We work by the power of the Spirit and not the sinful flesh; it is not will-worship and looking to self at all, but it is always looking unto Jesus, even as Abraham and Sarah LOOKED TO GOD, so they can have Isaac [Heb 11:11].

Cease from your own works, and enter His. Heb 4:10, “For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His [in creation].” He will work in you by the power that He accepts, sending the Spirit because of the blood of Christ. He will produce joy and good works [Deut 11:13-15]. He’ll prove that the promises are real.

Many are experiencing bondage, because they work by the flesh. Their eyes are not on Christ, and the Spirit is not helping. They are fighting sin on their own, and joylessness and pride are the results. Miserable bondage takes over, and God is a judge, instead of a friend… a taskmaster, instead of a rewarder of faith. Let us labor by rest, however, and we’ll work wisely.

Secondly, Jesus does the works of the Father. vs19

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.”

He is equal with God, come down in the flesh. He is the obedient Son, who does what His Father is doing in holiness, uprightness, and saving sinners. He is the perfect picture of the Father, so we can see who He is. John 1:18, “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” There is tremendous unity between the Father and the Son, utter oneness. If you’ve seen the Son, then you’ve seen the Father, whom no man can see, but the Son has revealed Him. John 14:9, “Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’”

This is the PERFECT REFLECTION of God that we need, so that we may come to Him, trust Him, and rely upon Him. If we don’t see Him in Christ showing mercy to sinners, then we cast off mercy and seek merit. We do not walk by grace in the goodness of God, so we esteem Him harsh or His law weak. We are deceived, until we see Jesus, but then we see a way of obedience and experience a sure reward [Deut 11:22-25]. Whenever you think about God, always see Christ Jesus, or you have lost your way. Christ is the Father’s image. He’s the One that must be set forth as we worship.

Thirdly, the reason God does the works is so that men may marvel!

“For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.”

Not all will believe, but all will marvel and be astonished. All will know the truth of the gospel, as it is preached, because it will declare itself the truth, even if men choose lies. 2 Cor 4:2, “But by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”

God spoke the truth to Adam, but Satan misled him into sin, death, and hell, except for God’s mercy. Christ reveals who God is, and deep in the soul, man says, “Yes, that is God. Yes, that is wisdom higher than my own,” but they reject the light to love their darkness. Never mind, the works are done, so that men marvel in shock and awe… so that they are without excuse at the Judgment.

God has not given all faith, but He gives all responsibility and evidence enough for them to believe.

Finally, If we don’t honor the Son, then we don’t honor the Father who sent Him. vs23

“That all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.”

Many have religion without Christ. There is no mediator, no substitute, and no satisfaction. They are trying to do it on their own, and Christ is hidden. Preachers think, “If I preach ‘too much Christ’, then the people will be comfortable. They won’t give, serve, and they won’t honor me. No, I need to keep them hungry and thirsty, just giving them a little bread. I need them occupied with other things, rather than worshiping Christ with joy.”

These are frauds who have no business in the pulpit. They are SELF-SEEKERS, and God never called them! Our job is to keep Christ before the eyes of the people, because God only works through Him, and when He’s seen, then we love by the Spirit. There is an intimate connection between Christ, the Spirit, and the Father: if we honor Christ, then we have the Spirit and glorify the Father who sent Him. This is true religion: Christ can’t be seen too much.