Psalm 74 / Jeremiah 4:9-10, 19-28 / John 5:19-29

It was science project day. I had what I believed was the best project in my entire 8th grade science class, a working solar panel made from regular and random items found in hardware stores, garages and dumpsters. I was very proud of the project and gave what I thought was an A+ presentation. Basking in my glory as I walked back to my seat, carrying the rather large panel with me, I heard one of the other students whisper (in that type of whisper meant for all to hear), "I bet he didn't make that panel himself. I bet his dad made it."

My glory was gone. I was crushed, mainly because his whisper was true. My dad had done most of the work in the creation of the panel. He came up with the idea, found the plans, mapped out the building process and sent me on my way to gather the needed items. While I was very proud of this solar panel, I should not have presented it as only my doing and should have acknowledged my father's involvement.

When I read John's Gospel lesson for today, I was reminded of that day. Jesus has delivered his "keynote address," where he explains the relation of the Father and the Son: his equality to God. Jesus is completely dependent upon God. He does nothing by or from himself, and cannot act from himself alone. Jesus is totally at one with God, and even though he is human, he is beyond human existence and therefore both fully human and fully divine. Jesus' whole life, everything he does, comes from his oneness with God. While this revelation angered the crowds, it was necessary for Jesus to explain his oneness with God. Had he not, his credibility would have been at stake.

How do we take what we know and believe as Christians and show our credibility to the world?

— Ned Fitch