Jesus, The Father’s Apprentice
- davidwperk
- Mar 20
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Thursday, March 20, 2025 s
The week of the second Sunday in Lent
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:
19Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. 21Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. 22The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 952)
AM Psalm [70], 71; PM Psalm 74
Jer. 4:9-10,19-28; Rom. 2:12-24; John 5:19-29
Today we celebrate the Feast of. (See below.)
David's Reflections
The Cambridge New Testament scholar Charles Harold Dodd believed that there was a hidden parable in this passage. He saw verses 19-20 as the parable of the apprentice son. Jesus grew up as the son of an artisan, Joseph the carpenter. In that culture, crafts were hereditary, passed on from father to son.+
As Joseph's son and apprentice, Jesus would have learned the craft of carpentry by watching his father and by doing exactly as his father instructed him. Perhaps we hear an echo of Jesus' own childhood in the words, "Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing.” (Jn. 5:19)
What a remarkable window into the spiritual experience and the self-perception of Jesus, as related by the Evangelist. This little parable makes the connection between his childhood experience of the craft shop, his experience of God's calling, and the Spirit's workings within his life. He was empowered by God to give live and to judge, and he acted only as he knew God willed. His actions were those of God acting in and through him. As John 1:18 put it, "No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, he has made him known."
Today's Gospel comes just after the story of the healing of a lame man on the Sabbath. In this reading, Jesus responds to the criticism of the religious leaders that he has violated the Sabbath--physicians have six days to work cures, and should not on the Sabbath unless life is in danger. This little parable lies at the heart of Jesus' response. God carries on the work of salvation and judgment seven days a week, and Jesus is doing only what he sees God doing.
In John's Gospel, Jesus' relationship with God models what ours can be. What a challenge for us this text presents, if viewed in that light. Our lives are to be one of seeing what God does, of having God show us exactly what God wants us to do and then doing it. How do we know what God, the master carpenter, wants us to do? God has taught Jesus, and we have a very good view of Jesus through the Gospels. Can you find this encouraging—we are invited into the same kind of relationship with God that Jesus experienced?
Our servanthood, our relationships, our spirituality, our commitment—Jesus’ life shows us what they are to be like; and he shares his life with us, seeking to do in us what we see God doing in him. "As God has sent me, so send I you.,” the Jesus of John says at the end of this Gospel.
+C. H. Dodd, “A Hidden Parable in the Fourth Gospel,” in his collection of essays, More New Testaments Studies (Manchester: Manchester UP, 1968), pp. 30-40.
Collect of the Day, The Second Sunday in Lent
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 217)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, bishop and missionary (died 20 Mar 687 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Cuthbert
Merciful God, who called Cuthbert from following the flock to be a shepherd of your people: Mercifully grant that we also may go without fear to dangerous and remote places, to seek the indifferent and the lost; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Collect for Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
O Lord, strong and mighty, Lord of hosts and King of glory: Cleanse our hearts from sin, keep our hands pure, and turn our minds from what is passing away; so that at the last we may stand in your holy place and receive your blessing; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Weekday Eucharistic Propers, p.25.)
A Collect for Guidance
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP 100)
Of the Holy Eucharist (Especially suitable for Thursdays)
God our Father, whose Son our Lord Jesus Christ in a wonderful Sacrament has left us a memorial of his passion: Grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of his Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit
of his redemption; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 252)
In the Order of Worship for Evening
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of
our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen. (BCP, 113)
A Collect for Mission
O God and Father of all, whom the whole heavens adore: Let the whole earth also worship you, all nations obey you, all tongues confess and bless you, and men and women everywhere love you and serve you in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 124)
Daily Office Gospel, John 5:19-29
19Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. 21Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. 22The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. 25‘Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; 27and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29and will come out—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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