Seeking Jesus First - March 04, 2026
“Equal Honor, Equal Life, Equal Judgment”
Please Read John 5:21–23 (NKJV)
Reflection Jesus continued revealing His oneness with the Father to the religious leaders who opposed Him. He declared:
“For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 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.”
Here Jesus makes three profound claims that flow from His perfect union with the Father:
- Equal power to give life — The Father raises the dead and gives life; so does the Son, to whomever He wills.
- Equal authority in judgment — The Father has entrusted all judgment to the Son.
- Equal honor — All people should honor the Son exactly as they honor the Father.
To dishonor the Son is to dishonor the Father who sent Him. There is no separating the two. One cannot truly honor God the Father while rejecting, ignoring, or diminishing the Son He has sent. The Father’s sending of the Son is central to His heart and plan—honoring the Father means honoring the One He sent.
In the New Covenant, this truth brings us great assurance and responsibility. Through faith in Jesus, we already receive resurrection life now—spiritual life that raises us from death in sin to newness of life in Christ (Romans 6:4). We have passed from death into life by hearing His word and believing (John 5:24). Yet we also await the full bodily resurrection when the Son will call forth the dead from their graves (John 5:28–29). Both the present spiritual awakening and the future physical resurrection flow from His authority as the One who is one with the Father.
This oneness also carries a call to personal response. We honor the Son not only with words, but in daily choices—renewing our minds to His lordship, submitting our will to His, and living in agreement with His Word. When we recognize that someone is sent by God (as the Father sent the Son), Scripture gives precedent to honor that person to the extent they honor the Father and Son and walk in humility and obedience. Yet honor is never blind. Jesus Himself modeled perfect humility—He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but took the form of a servant (Philippians 2:5–8). Any true servant sent by God will reflect that same mind: humility, servanthood, and alignment with the Father’s will in word and deed.
In the Kingdom life, honoring Jesus means living as sons and daughters who reflect His character. We access eternal life by hearing and believing the Son. We honor the Father by honoring the One He sent. And we walk in resurrection power today by renewing our minds to His lordship and choosing obedience in the everyday.
Application Today, examine your heart: How are you honoring the Son in your thoughts, words, and actions? Bring any area of resistance or divided loyalty to Him in prayer. Renew your mind to this truth—honoring Jesus is honoring the Father who sent Him. Choose one intentional way to honor Him today: speak His Word over a situation, show mercy as He does, or submit a decision to His leading. If you recognize God’s sending on someone in your life (a pastor, mentor, or fellow believer), honor them in humility—but always measure it by how they reflect Christ. Your choice to honor the Son releases resurrection life and authority into your walk.
Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son and entrusting all life and judgment to Him. Thank You that in honoring Jesus, we honor You. Renew our minds today to see the Son as You see Him—equal in glory, authority, and love. Help us honor Him in our daily choices, submitting our will to His lordship and living in the resurrection life You have given us now. Let us reflect the humility of Christ in how we honor others sent by You. May our lives bring glory to the Father through the Son. In Jesus’ name, giving thanks for the living Word of the Lord. Amen.