[Jesus said,] “By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.”

John 5:30

At first glance this verse would seem to say that Jesus did not have power to do anything by Himself. That, however, is not the case. What He is saying here is that He and God are so closely united that it would be impossible for Him to do anything on His own authority that was against Father God. This was not a physical impossibility, but a moral impossibility! Jesus always acted in perfect obedience to God and in perfect harmony with Him for they are One. Some false teachers use this verse to say that Jesus was merely a man and not God in the flesh. The notion that Jesus was just a man with no divine nature or power is quickly proven false by the eye witness accounts of all the miracles He performed throughout the gospels and the witness of those who heard God say Himself that Jesus is His Son “in whom He is well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

When Jesus states that He “judges only as He hears”, He is saying that as He listens to His Father for daily instruction He does as Father God has Him do with no selfish motive. Therefore, His judgments are just for they come straight from God Himself. Jesus was never seeking to please Himself but to please God the Father.

We are to be living for an audience of One, that being God. When we receive instruction from Him each day, and obey what He tells us in His Word, we will act justly and please God the Father, just as Jesus did when He walked this earth. The big difference is however, we are not perfect as Jesus is. We will mess up and disobey God at times, but the closer our union is with Christ, the closer our life will reflect Him!

My precious Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to this world and laying down Your life for the forgiveness of my sin. I do not deserve Your love, but out of Your mercy and grace You love me! Help me to live my life as a true reflection of You to those in my world each day. In your name I pray, Amen!

Almighty and Righteous Father, I know that without you, I can do nothing of lasting significance that is good. I have tried my way and failed. I have sought my good and seen my success short-lived. I want to live now, today, and the rest of my life to please you. As I do this, I am confident that you will provide what I need and empower me to accomplish what you would have me achieve. In Jesus’ name, I thank you. Amen.