454. Monday after Twenty-sixth Sunday after Trinity.
Draw us to thee, Lord Jesus,
and reveal to us thy glory. Amen.
John 5, 19-23. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son; that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son, honoreth not the Father which hath sent him.
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Yesterday we heard Jesus say: “No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” As these words testify to his unity with the Father, so does also that which he says in the text before us, “Whatsoever things the Father doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth. The Son quickeneth whom he will, and unto him hath the Father committed all judgment. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent him.” If we are to know God, it must be in Christ; for only in him do we find God. When we come to the Son in the gospel, in which he is to be found, we come to the very God himself. Then we also become partakers of his divine power to quicken the dead; for he gives us a new life, which causes us to love him, and abstain from sin. In thus honoring him we honor the Father. Though we usually address our prayers to the Father, we may also pray to the Son; indeed our hearts may at times feel a special need of making their petitions to him. And if we know the Son, and can speak to him as to an intimate friend, we are the beloved of the Father, and shall fear no anger. The Son has all judgment. He who hangs on the cross for me, and with his blood makes atonement for all my sin, he and none other has the power to judge me. He must needs judge the impenitent for that they will not be saved; but to the needy who trust in him as their Savior he shall give everlasting life. For himself has said: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come unto condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
In thee, Lord Jesus, have I found the Father; and in thee shall I forever see him. Let me never fall into unbelief; but keep me with thee, and shew me thy glory. Lord Jesus, hold me fast, that I may abide with thee forevermore. Amen.*
O draw me, Savior, after thee!
So shall I run and never tire.
With gracious words still comfort me;
Be thou my hope, my sole desire.
Free me from every weight: nor fear
Nor sin can come, if thou art here.
[alt. trans.: “Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me” (st. 5), TLH 349; listen here]
* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.