John 5:20 The Father loves the son_

For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. John‬ ‭5:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Rotherham’s literal translation adds “The Father dearly loves the Son…”

As I read my way through the book of John, one thing is clear: Jesus knew that he was loved by his dad. The expressions I read are not effusive but matter-of-fact.

The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. John‬ ‭3:35‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

And the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Luke‬ ‭3:22‬ ‭NIV ‬‬‬‬

Rotherham translates it: “You are my Son, the Beloved, in you I delight.” Mark 1:10

Here is obvious affection and affirmation of the son. In light of God’s affection for Jesus, my natural mind asks: Does God love one more than another? Is there anything I can do to obtain more or less of His love? I have wondered if there are increments in his love and if so, is there any thing I can do to increase his affection for me. Yet the questions remains: between two individuals is there something in our nature that will encourage love, engage affection, draw me nearer to one more than another?

I see a partial clue a little later in John which connects behavior and love.

The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father. John‬ ‭10:17-18‬ ‭NIV ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

We all have seen an affection between two and have been envious of that familiarity. Whether it was a parent, teacher, friend or sibling who showed preference and value in another — either by affirmation, special treatment, or simply a relaxed and trusting interpersonal connection. Something we all want. But somehow when it comes to the love of God, the popular explanation among believers reverts to first grade t-ball games: everyone is a winner, we don’t keep score.

So let’s think about the distinction for a moment. God places a high value in me, because I am a person, created in his image. He knows me through and through — both my strengths and the passions or hurts that make me vulnerable. And he loves me whether or not I am doing good. He made provision for me and all people since Adam’s first sin in the Garden. He covered us with grace and a promise. It didn’t stop the flood of hell through the gap that the sin caused, but it is present none-the-less. Murderer or lover, he makes no distinction. The prodigal or the one that stays and does his will — they are both his children. And if personal responsibility is a value that makes the best people who they are, then God our Father takes full ownership for both the sickness and the remedy of man. Always has.

But the things I do also matter. When I do good, I bless and help others. When I am only thinking about myself, I hurt others. Even though my Father loves me, if I wreak havoc on another life, his nature of justice wants both me to own my behavior and to extend a shield of protection and offer a remedy to the victim. On the other end of the spectrum, when I do good and love others, I extend His very heart to those that I love — and in this there is reward. But as much as I like credit for doing good, does he love me more?

The most important value in the Father’s heart is love. His love for us, and our love for him. And this value doesn’t mean a lot if it doesn’t result in the very thing it is intended: relationship. Affection, trust, understanding, bantering, laughing, rest, confidence, invincibility. This is my sweet spot as a human… in love. When I respond to love, it provides a context of growth. The person I become, the moulding of my character and nature, the years of choices I make are all things which reflect the values of my life. Yes, he loves me. But does he love me more? It’s an odd question. If a man deeply loves a woman, does he love her more when their love results in intercourse? Is a grandchild loved more when they spend time with Grandma and enjoy each other’s company and they laugh and create memories compared to the one she doesn’t know? Purpose in our life has called us to express and fulfill love. Not to merely talk about it and write about it. The choices we make either draw us toward love or away from it. And living loved make us who we are. And who we are and become is a gift we may offer our Father. Yes he loves us, but there is a deep affection and desire to express reciprocation when the one that is loved values the lover to the point of reflecting his glory. I love you enough to be like you.

So let’s put the answer to all these questions in perspective. God dearly loves ALL of us. Yet, something about Jesus prompted John to write that “the Father loves the son.” In John 10 we read why: Jesus did something. He agreed to give up his life. He trusted his Father and emptied himself of all the ambition that a perfect, gifted, qualified man could have embraced, and agreed to be sin’s sacrifice. He gave himself up — to trust—like no individual before him has done. If you were the Father, how would you feel about that? Yes, Jesus is a pretty special son. So, the Father has been given full control to spend the Son as he wishes. In death. For me.

Read that again.

The most valuable thing that the Father possessed was his Son, and he was willing to spend him on me for my health and remedy. When parents give birth to a child, they project themselves to the future and imagine what their son or daughter will be when they grow up. In a similar fashion, the very thing the our Father hoped for when he created man was standing before him in Christ —a man that loves him, revels in their fellowship, and fully trusts. And like any good father, he has a plan or desire for him. He would be the payment for life’s overdue MasterCard bill.

So, who does he love more, Jesus or me?

Silly question, huh? Yes, he’s deeply affected by what we do, whether bad or good. But the goal is to love. To have relationship with me. And that is what is reflected in the Father’s love for the son. And because of this, in Jesus there was/is an extension of our Father’s kingdom on earth in a unique way. In the context of being filled with the Holy Spirit without measure, of performing incredible signs and wonders, Jesus says in John 10 the reason for such unique delegation is… because I lay down my life.

With this lack of interest in his own agenda, goals, desires, and even his experiences on earth, Jesus embodied the Father’s spirit, authority, and signs and wonders. He could hear his Father and see where he is working, and do the same. Walking on water, multiplying food, raising the dead — these things make men marvel, yet Jesus saw them and was not tickled by their novelty. In Jesus’ relationship with the Father, he could see what he is doing (present tense). And thus the next comment, “and greater works will He show him.”

So we may believe.

And so we may follow in his steps and do and be the same.