John Chapter 5

John 5: Authority and LifeThe Pool at Bethesda“After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem” (John 5:1, ESV). Near the Sheep Gate lies a pool called Bethesda, surrounded by five roofed colonnades. “In these lay a multitude of invalids: blind, lame, paralyzed” (John 5:3). They wait for the water to stir, believing the first in receives healing.One man has been invalid thirty-eight years. Jesus sees him and asks, “Do you want to be healed?” (John 5:6). The man explains, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me” (John 5:7). Jesus commands, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk” (John 5:8). Instantly the man is healed, takes his bed, and walks.It is the Sabbath. The Jews tell him, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed” (John 5:10). He answers, “He who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk’” (John 5:11). They ask who, but the man does not know. Later Jesus finds him in the temple and says, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you” (John 5:14). The man reports to the Jews that Jesus healed him.The Son’s Authority“The Jews persecuted Jesus because he was doing these things on the Sabbath” (John 5:16). Jesus answers, “My Father is working until now, and I am working” (John 5:17). This claim to equal God’s ongoing work enrages them further; they seek to kill Him for making Himself equal with God.Jesus explains: “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise” (John 5:19). Perfect unity in will and action. “For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing” (John 5:20).He adds two greater works:
  1. “As the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will” (John 5:21).
  2. “The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father” (John 5:22-23). Refusal to honor the Son is refusal to honor the Father.
Life and Judgment“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24). Present possession of eternal life; no future condemnation.“An 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” (John 5:25). Spiritual resurrection now; physical later. “An hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29).Witnesses to Jesus“I can do nothing on my own... the testimony that I have is greater than that of John” (John 5:30-31). Four witnesses confirm:
  1. John the Baptist: “You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth” (John 5:33).
  2. The works: “The works that the Father has given me to accomplish... bear witness about me” (John 5:36).
  3. The Father: “The Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me” (John 5:37).
  4. The Scriptures: “You search the Scriptures... it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39).
Yet they refuse life. “I know that you do not have the love of God within you” (John 5:42). They accept human praise but not God’s (John 5:44). Moses, whom they trust, will accuse them: “If you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me” (John 5:46).
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