Q2. Son Can Do Nothing

[KenBoy]

On 7/23/2018 at 12:06 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q2. (John 5:19; Philippians 2:6-7) What does Jesus’ statement, “the Son can do nothing by himself,” indicate about his relationship with the Father? Why did Jesus have to “empty himself” from his heavenly glory when he became a man?

1,The statement appears to be a voluntary submission of the Son to the Father.though being equal in Trinity .The statement is a teaching learning moment for the disciples ( the followers ,that there is great dependency  on the Father God ,as this is a period of being human for Jesus Christ.It tells us that the Will of Father is best ,over and above the our own mortal/s will ,intent and abilities .Jesus becomes a role model and elder to us through these meaningful verses.It also speaks about the need of s humble heart ,surrendered life and being lead by the Holy Spirits in us ,Thus the perfect Will of Father manifested and proclaimed through Christ and later through we who are in Christ..

2.Jesus Christ is Fully God and Fully Man ,To become fully man ,he emptied himself of divinity until his works began ,following anointment by Holy Spirit at baptism,Christ is the fore runner of those saved Christians,a priest and an elder brother ,being tempted and knowing thirst ,hunger and pain in his wounds .The promise is that he goes to make a place ,gather us to him and  where he will be we too will be at the marriage supper of the bride .Sinners get a chance to repent and be reconciled ,Thus we too can identify with Christ the man .and be joyful in the Good Hope ,

 

[Stanley Tavaziva]

Because of his unity with God, Jesus lived as God wanted him to live. Because of our identification with Jesus, we must honor him and live as he wants us to live. 

Jesus made his humanity unique was his freedom from sin. In his full humanity, Jesus showed us everything about God’s character that can be conveyed in human terms. 

[Botshelo]

Jesus' Reliance on the Father (John 5:19)

Q2. (John 5:19; Philippians 2:6-7).

a) What does Jesus' statement, "the Son can do nothing by himself," indicate about his relationship with the Father?

ANS. Q 2: Verse 19 troubles us because Jesus claims that he can't do anything by himself. "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees[12] his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." (John 5:19).

Because Jesus totally submits to the Father, Jesus voluntarily lays aside some of these prerogatives of divinity. As the scripture confirms; "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, 
taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Philippians 2:6-7).

So the phrase, "the Son can do nothing by himself," indicates how dependent Jesus is upon the Father, especially during his time as a human being. Jesus while on earth as a human being didn't operate on his own inherent will and power!

b) Why did Jesus have to "empty himself" from his heavenly glory when he became a man?

ANS. Q 2: It is to show us His total dependence on God, so that we too can rely on God for anything. This a voluntary submission to the Father's leadership (1 Corinthians 15:24-28) of Christ may sound stupid to carnal minds but is a sign of obedience. But  the truth is that a father is above the son. Jesus had to die to self so that God could inhabit Him.

[Paula Price]

Jesus has always stated, from the time he was 12 teaching in the temple, until his death on the cross, that He was doing the will of his father. He came to earth to be a servant to God the father and to do the will of him who sent him.  He emptied himself, meaning that it was never about him,  He received no credit or did anything for his own self or for his own glory, He only did what God told him to do.  He prayed daily to seek his father's will. There will always be things of the bible and the relationship with God that we are not going to full understand and that is because God does not reveal everything to us.  That is where faith takes over.  But one thing we do have to understand and accept and that is that it is only the will of God that we are here to do and Jesus, being his son with all power, recognized that and honored that and did nothing by himself, or for himself.  He always acknowledged the will and power of God and thought of himself as a servant to Him.  Jesus emptied himself in order to be the sacrifice that was needed to redeem man from sin back to God.  That was the reason for his human form.  Jesus showed us the perfect pattern of communion with God.  He prayed before doing anything, seeking God's will and asking for guidance and strength to do God's will every step he took.  He did nothing without the father's consent.  It was the will of God and Jesus was and is the Messiah whom God promised in the old testament that he would sent to redeem man from sin back to him.

[RD35]

Q2. (John 5:19; Philippians 2:6-7) What does Jesus' statement, "the Son can do nothing by himself," indicate about his relationship with the Father? Why did Jesus have to "empty himself" from his heavenly glory when he became a man?

Paul explains that Jesus voluntarily lays aside some of the prerogatives of divinity. "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Philippians 2:6-7)

This is a voluntary submission to the Father's leadership (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). So the phrase, "the Son can do nothing by himself," indicates how dependent Jesus is upon the Father, especially during his time as a human being.  Jesus on earth as a human didn't operate on his own inherent will and power!

In his humanness, Jesus performs miracles in the same way that he teaches his disciples to do them -- by direction from and dependence upon the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus had to empty himself of his heavenly glory and become man for our sakes, so that he could die and bring about salvation to mankind as per Gods will and plan for us.  In Jesus we see a Man who lives fully in the Holy Spirit. He is God, yet he has laid aside his heavenly glory and prerogatives (Philippians 2:5) to operate in our midst as a Man. In doing so he shows us how we can minister by the Holy Spirit that has been poured out on us.

 

[JanMary]

On ‎7‎/‎23‎/‎2018 at 10:06 AM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q2. (John 5:19; Philippians 2:6-7) What does Jesus’ statement, “the Son can do nothing by himself,” indicate about his relationship with the Father? Why did Jesus have to “empty himself” from his heavenly glory when he became a man?

2a This indicates that Jesus limited Himself, setting aside His Deity to function on earth as a man...yet fully God, relying on His Father's wisdom, strength, and power in all things, every moment of His perfect life in order to redeem the human race.

2b. I heard a pastor say once that if one wanted to save ants that were about to drown, one would have to become an ant in order to reach them and communicate with them as they were able to understand. Jesus became a man...fully God yet fully man. He became like us and lived a perfect sinless life to save us...having laid aside His Deity and power....depending upon His Father every moment of His life. He demonstrated how we are to live...not in our own strength and wisdom, but in reliance upon His strength, wisdom, guidance and power.

 

[Commissioned]

[Old Jerry]

The statement that Jesus said “the Son can do nothing by himself” indicates that the relationship with the Father is perfect and that he depends of the Father for guidance. We are to follow Jesus because he did “empty himself” from his heavenly glory so that we could follow him. If he didn’t we would not be able to follow him because he would still be God and we are not gods.

[haar]

Q2. (John 5:19; Philippians 2:6-7)

Q. What does Jesus' statement, "the Son can do nothing by himself," indicate about his relationship with the Father?

A. This statement means that Jesus depends on the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit to perform his miracles. 

Q. Why did Jesus have to "empty himself" from his heavenly glory when he became a man?

A.  He relinquished some of his power to become human so that he would live with us and die for our sin

[Isaac L]

On 7/24/2018 at 1:06 AM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q2. (John 5:19; Philippians 2:6-7) What does Jesus’ statement, “the Son can do nothing by himself,” indicate about his relationship with the Father? Why did Jesus have to “empty himself” from his heavenly glory when he became a man?

It shows Jesus' willing and humble submission to God the Father.

Perhaps the "emptying" is part and parcel of becoming man fully - 100% and not in pretense. Becoming fully human is necessary on two counts:

1. Only as a representative of mankind can he die as a substitute for man to atone for man's sin.

2. Only as the perfect "spiritual man from heaven" can he model for us what it means for a human being to be filled with the Spirit and walk in the Spirit and minister in the power of the Spirit. If Jesus had done all these things by virtue of his own deity, then we can never replicate what he does, because we are not divine.

[Rosesam]

Q2. (John 5:19; Philippians 2:6-7) What does Jesus’ statement, “the Son can do nothing by himself,” indicate about his relationship with the Father? Why did Jesus have to “empty himself” from his heavenly glory when he became a man?

When the Word incarnated as flesh to identify with man, He voluntarily set aside His divine glory and power and lived as a man in order to win back what the first Adam forfeited when he willfully disobeyed the Creator God. Though the second person in the trinity, He was equal in person with the Father and the Holy Spirit, but subordinate in role to the Father. Now, Jesus as a man and having emptied Himself of His divine abilities, had to be tuned to the leading of the Father, through the Holy Spirit to accomplish the will of the Father upon the earth. I think the sense of what Jesus said “the Son can do nothing by Himself” is not that the the Son couldn’t do anything by Himself but that He wouldn’t do anything by Himself. He was so obedient to the will of the Father even to the point of death on the cross. And that’s why all knees will bow and all tongues confess that He is the Lord!!! To Him be all the glory now and forever. 

If Jesus had not emptied Himself then whatever He did on the earth would have been impossible for us common mortals. But by emptying Himself, He identified Himself with humanity and also taught us in the process that we also could live a Spirit filled, Spirit led life that would be pleasing to the Father.

[Ang B]

Pt 1 Jesus's relationship with His Father is rightly knitted, interdependant. Very intimate! His every move is done because he emulates His Fathers ways.  Likewise the Father needs Jesus to get to His people in a way he chose to get through to us, by becoming human- but without sin. 

Pt2 Jesus had to rely on the Holy Spirit to be fully aware of Gods ways in everything and his disciples watch him therefore he is a model to us of what Gods wishes for us would be....to fully rely on the power He gives us through the Holy Spirit.  We need to deny our own desires in order to fully surrender to the Power of the Holy Spirit.

[av4Jesus]

On 7/23/2018 at 9:06 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q2. (John 5:19; Philippians 2:6-7) What does Jesus’ statement, “the Son can do nothing by himself,” indicate about his relationship with the Father? Why did Jesus have to “empty himself” from his heavenly glory when he became a man?

(John 14:10) "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." The Father works through Jesus. He could not do anything by himself because He came to Earth as a man, not as God. He needed God the Father and the Holy Spirit to work through him. This also shows how dependent Jesus is on the Father as the Trinity works dependent of one another, not separately. 

Jesus had to "empty Himself" because if He came to Earth as a man then He could not be an example for us to follow. But since He came as a man, we can be assured that we too can lead a Godly life if we are willing.

[Tasha]

What does Jesus’ statement, “the Son can do nothing by himself,” indicate about his relationship with the Father? Why did Jesus have to “empty himself” from his heavenly glory when he became a man?

I believe that He had to empty himself of his heavenly glory to allow himself to be lead totally upon the Spirit of God.  By doing this, he established the Father as the God head and understands his submissive role to Him.  In doing this we understand the relationship of Father and son.

[MyRockOfAges]

Q2. (John 5:19; Philippians 2:6-7) What does Jesus' statement, "the Son can do nothing by himself," indicate about his relationship with the Father? Why did Jesus have to "empty himself" from his heavenly glory when he became a man?

 

The Son has no power to do anything except by Holy Spirit. Son does only what He sees the Father doing. Son was dependent on the Father for everything, total submission, obedience and surrenderance. 

Jesus operated in the Spirit and for us is an exemplary example to learn how to obediently walk with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus had to empty himself from His heavenly glory and be like one of us. Tempted in every way yet without sin. He taught how to overcome by being obedient to the Father with the help of the Holy Spirit

[Patricia A]

JESUS TOOK ON THE FORM OF HUMAN AND THUS AS A HUMAN THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME UPON HIM.

[Reb67]

Jesus, as a human, humbled himself and submitted to the Father, who as Pastor Ralph stated was a servant in role. As humans, we are to do the same. We subject ourselves to the Father. We are to pray and to ask Him for guidance in all areas of our lives. Jesus, in doing so, set the example we are to follow. Jesus also had free choice as we do. He chose to be the Father's Son, obey Him and come to Him for all things. 

[Queen Mc Daniel]

Q2. (John 5:19; Philippians 2:6-7) What does Jesus' statement, "the Son can do nothing by himself," indicate about his relationship with the Father?

It suggests that Jesus did not act alone. He did not act independent of God as He dependent upon the Father during his time as a human on earth.

 Why did Jesus have to "empty himself" from his heavenly glory when he became a man?

For we have not a high priest not able to sympathies with our infirmities, but ... God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin  Hebrew 4:15. Thus,this is a voluntary submission to the Father’s leadership (1 Corinthians 15:24-28) 

[MosesSole]

On 7/23/2018 at 1:06 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q2. (John 5:19; Philippians 2:6-7) What does Jesus’ statement, “the Son can do nothing by himself,” indicate about his relationship with the Father? It means that Jesus can only act on the direction of the Father. 

Why did Jesus have to “empty himself” from his heavenly glory when he became a man? I'm not sure that Jesus actually did "empty himself" of his divine powers since he was seen walking on water, creating thousands of bread and fish from 4 loaves and a few fish.  

 

[Tholang]

1. Jesus means that permission, authority, power, guidance and instructions are from God the Father. In Him, we should see and receive what He says and does being from the God. A relationship of A Father, Parent and Child the Son.

Jesus also never boasted about being equal to the Father but took the position of a servant because He referred what He did was what He learnt from the Father 

[Celia P]

What does Jesus' statement, "the Son can do nothing by himself," indicate about his relationship with the Father?

While a man of flesh, Jesus was totally dependent on the Father to show Him how to behave, and how to react to certain situations. Jesus would not do something unless He prayed first, or felt the willingness, prompting, nudging from His Father to do so.

Jesus's relationship with Father was an intimate one. He knew everything about Father, because Father shared everything with Him. He and the Father are One, held together by an unbreakable 3 cord strand. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Why did Jesus have to "empty himself" from his heavenly glory when he became a man?

Jesus came to serve, not to be served. He emptied Himself so that He could value others above Himself.

To empty oneself is to be totally submitted, committed to Father and His will, even in the face of persecution and death, for this is where His strength and power is needed the most.

To empty oneself is allowing Fathers strength and power to work in, around, and through you.

To empty oneself is to become one with the Father, through the Holy Spirit.

Love and Blessings to you all. Xx

[Nana Karlsson]

By this statement "the Son can do nothing by Himself" Jesus' statement indicates the unique and strong relationship between Him and the Father deeply rooted in Love, reverence, unity, obedience, dependancy, demonstration and partnership.

Jesus has to empty himself from the Heavenly glory when he became a man in order to demonstrate that  man's dependancy and partnership with the Holy Spirit is important for achieving and fulfilling God's plan and purpose for us here on earth.

[Zibuyile]

Q2 What does Jesus statement "The son can do nothing by himself"indicate about His relationship with the father.

Iindicates that all that Jesus do is the will of God and apart from Him , He can do nothing.

Why did Jesus have to empty Himself from His heavenly glory when He became a man?

So that he can identify with man,  to know what troubles men and understand our pain. That is why He was able to carry the cross as He understood His mission to die for the sins of men

 

[Krissi]

What does Jesus’ statement, “the Son can do nothing by himself,” indicate about his relationship with the Father? Why did Jesus have to “empty himself” from his heavenly glory when he became a man?

I believe the theological word or doctrine for "emptying himself" is called Kenosis. It originally referred To Christ's willingness to put aside his divinity to assume humanity, or to empty himself of his divine powers. Later, it was applied to believers, who, in a reversal of Christ, were to put aside their humanity to assume Christ-likeness.

I have no idea if any of this is true.

The statement about Jesus' inability to do anything without the Father may refer to the trinity, how the three aspects of the trinity work together mysteriously -- again, I don't know.  It may refer to kenosis, or the voluntary giving up of divinity by Jesus. 

Logically-- note that I'm not trying to sound gnostic!! -- it's hard not to think of the godhead as a hierarchy with God at the top, which would explain why Jesus couldn't do anything without God. I know this is bad theology. The chapter, though, is about the Holy Spirit, not the trinity or kenosis. It's about how  Jesus was filled with the Spirit -- the contention is that without the Holy Spirit, Jesus would not have the power to do anything, that in spite of  his divinity, his power came from the Holy Spirit. This seems a bit too stark to me.

I'm confused. I'll continue on with this chapter to learn more.

 

 

[Ludmila Kosenko]

Jesus became and was, in HIs humanity, dependent on The Father.

He willingly set aside His own power to demonstrate His dependence on God to empower Him to 

do things The Father's way. To obey His commands. Be a role model. Follow in HIs footsteps.