JOHN CHAPTER FIVE
JOHN CHAPTER FIVE
1After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.
5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made well?"
7 The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me."
8 Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk."
9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.
10 the Jews said to him, ' it is the Sabbath day!! It is not lawful for you to carry your bed"!.
11 He answered them, "He who made me well said to me, 'Take up your bed and walk.' "
12 Then they asked him, "Who is the Man who said to you, 'Take up your bed and walk'?"
13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place.
14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you."
15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath.
Verse 1......
"After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem."
This event took place in the month of Abib, or more commonly known as the month of Nissan, the equivalent of March and April. This says that .......
"There was a feast of the Jews....
According to the time frame, it would have had to taken place during the feast of the Passover. There were only three feasts that all Jewish males were required to attend, according to the Law... these were; The feast of the Passover and unleavened bread, The feast of Weeks, also called Pentecost, and The feast of Tabernacles.
One real cool note here. If you take a word perfect literal translation, there is the word that begins verse 2. That word is IS. Now, understand, that in the original manuscripts, the Bible was not broken down into chapters and verses. With that in mind, if you were to run 1 and 2 together, it would read
" After these things was a feast of the Jews, and went up Jesus to Jerusalem is And in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate a pool"....,
Ok.... follow me here...... 'Went up Jesus to Jerusalem IS. That word 'is' in the Greek is 'esti'. It is a singular word, and Literally translated, it means third person present. I think that the author of this great text clearly knew and personally understood the trinity. He makes this abundantly clear the way the Holy Spirit led him to say this in the way that he did!!!! Even though the word does refer to the pool at the sheep gate, literally 'there is a pool at the sheep gate, I just think it very curious that this word directly follows the mention of Jesus, and also translates as 'they are' and 'I AM'! .
Verse 2.......Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.
The 'sheep gate' is the literal gate where they led the sheep that were to be sacrificed, into the outer courts of the temple.
The name of the pool, Bethesda, literally means 'house of kindness, or Mercy house. The Syriac and Persic versions call it, "A place of a Baptistery"; and some commentators have thought, that this 'pool is an emblem of, and foreshadow of the ordinance of Baptism; and that the miraculous virtue in it, is a symbol of the fountain of Christ's Blood, a place for polluted sinners to wash in, a place that cleanses from all sin, and cures all diseases; and this is opened in the house of Mercy, and by the ministry of the Word: or rather, best of all, by receiving the good news of the Gospel itself. Bethesda, also means the place of 'diving;' and indeed, we must wholly dive into Gods Mercy and Grace if we are to receive the healing that only the shed Blood of Jesus Christ can provide!
The five porches were shelters for the patients. The literal word is stoa, which is a long hall with arches. These porches, or shelters, ended in a set of steps that led down into the pool. So, there were five porches, or covered walks, that lead into, to this pool. Now, it has been thought by some scholars, that the law of the old testament found in the five books of Moses, has a great parallel here.; because under the workings of the law, the old covenant,, there is no cure , there is no relief, no peace, no joy, no life, and no salvation, by the law of works. And just as the people that were laying in these porches were unable to receive any hope, Until they were able to submerge themselves into the pool, we now have no hope until we are able to submerge ourselves into the Light and Liberty, and Comfort of the Gospel; I really do see a great parallel to this pool called Bethesda and the Gospel!
Verse 3......In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water.
Where it says 'a crowd', or 'a great multitude' ... the word is plethos.. This was no small crowd. Too many to even bother counting, for the literal translations of the word plethos is 'fullness' 'throng' and 'populace'. It must have seemed to the Apostle that the entire town of Jerusalem was there at this pool!
A large crowd of people, "Sick and weak," is picture of all who are under the law of works, and a picture of those who have never received healing; people who are paralyzed by sin, and are impotent, incapable and unwilling to do any thing of themselves; unable to keep the whole law of God, and they have neither will nor power, and to atone for their sinful nature; or to redeem themselves from the curse of the law; people who could not even begin to bring a work of Grace upon their souls; or to do any thing that is spiritually good; no, not even able to think a good thought, or to do a good action, as is required: by the law of God.
"of blind" these also may represent mans nature. It is true that without Christ, we are totally ignorant of, and blind to every thing that is Spiritual; blind to the true knowledge of God in Christ, blind the way of salvation by Him, blind to the plague and condemnation of our own hearts, blind to the exceeding sinfulness of sin; blind to the Spirit of God, and His work upon the soul; and blind to the truths of the Gospel, and in the power found within the knowledge of them:
The "lame". This word sometimes is used of persons in suspense about religious things, hesitating concerning them, halting between two opinions; unable to make the decision for Christ by accepting the cleansing power of His shed Blood to make them whole. It could also describe the condition of anyone who calls themselves a believer who allows any compromise in their lives and in their walk with Him!
"withered"; may point out carnal persons, such as are sensual, not having the Spirit, destitute of the Grace of God, without faith, hope, love, knowledge, and the fear of God; without God, Christ, and the Spirit; and in a lifeless, helpless, hopeless, and perishing condition:
Verse 4...... For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.
In a way, I found myself a little stumped here, when I started doing my homework on this chapter, because In the literal translation, verse four does not exist. The Robertson commentary states that indeed this is true, and that the verse was added for clarity. The verse is however, more than a clear statement, clarifying why these crowds were gathered at this pool of Mercy. Verse 7 would make no sense without the support of this verse. I believe that the reason it was not in the earliest manuscripts is that this pool, and the event of the "angel who stirred the water" was common knowledge to everyone in this period of time. I heard one commentator draw a parallel to this angel to ministers of the Gospel today. I thought that was cool!
Waiting for the moving of the water;.......
What and a wonderful thing it is, when He who is the 'Living Water' moves upon ones heart and life!! What a miracle that the hearts of so many unregenerate persons should be inclined to dive into the only means of Grace, and should be waiting at Wisdom's gates, and watching at the posts of her door.!!!!
The healing powers of this pool has been supposed by some to have been communicated by the blood of the sacrifices, and others have given the reason that it was the mineral properties of the waters that effected the healing. But, neither could have been true because;
1. The beasts for sacrifice were not washed here, but in a laver in the temple.
2. There is No natural property that is known to mankind that can cure all manner of diseases.
3. The cure was only extended to the first person who entered.
4. It took place only at one particular time.
5. As the healing was effected by immersion, it must have been instantaneous; and it was never failing in it effects.
All of these things combined, undeniably testify that the cures must have been miraculous, as expressly stated in the text.
Verse 5....... Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.
Can you even imagine the utter hopelessness of having been crippled for 38 years?? But again, how long are so many spiritually crippled until they receive the healing power of Christ in their lives!!! I know that I spent the first 30 years of my life in that pitiful, sick, blind, lame and crippled state, until Jesus came and asked me if I wanted to be made whole!
Being that the text says that he was crippled for 38 years, and the fact that he had no one to even help him down into the pool when the water was stirred, makes me think that this man literally lived at these shelters, called the 'sheep gate.' For if no one was there to help him into the water, surely, no one was around to tote him back and forth between his home and this pool every day!
This very sad and pitiful state is most likely the reason that Jesus chose this man above all others!!
Verse 6..... I love this question..... "Do you want to be made whole?" I can see the smile on our Saviors face, and hear the love and compassion in His voice as He asks... "Do you want to be made whole?" This mans situation looked completely hopeless. But what an application for our lives today!!!!
No matter how desperate or hopeless any situation we find ourselves in, or even how long the problem has existed, God can minister to your deepest needs!!!!
The beginning of this verse in The original text reads 'And this man, seeing Jesus'...... Here is the key to this. If you will only turn your eyes upon Jesus, looking to 'see Him' He CAN say to you too..... "Do you want to be made whole?"
.....When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made whole?"
The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me."
Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk."
I do not like the translation that reads 'Sir' in verse 7. The word is 'kurios.'
' Lord' is much better, for this word 'kurios' is a Title of the highest respect, and is used in giving one the highest and supreme authority.
Verse seven has a lot more deep biblical food to chew on here. It is found within this mans response. It was crucial to his healing, and is crucial for anyone who wishes "to be made whole" today. Jesus had just asked him if he wanted to be made whole. HE DID NOT SAY YES. OK. Do not let this thought confuse you here. We MUST, I repeat, we MUST SAY YES TO JESUS, and accept His free offer to shed His Healing Power, Mercy and Unending Grace on each one of us,
Yet, this mans response is an ABSOLUTE KEY to the eternal and spiritual healing that only the Shed Blood of Jesus Christ can bring to any life.
HE CONFESSES HIS UNCONDITIONAL INABILITY TO HELP HIMSELF. HE CONFESSES THAT NO MAN ALIVE CAN HELP HIM OBTAIN THIS HEALING!!! He is confessing to Christ;
1. As his Lord
2. his need
3. his inability to meet this need of himself
4. his hopelessness.
5. The unwillingness and inability for any man to help him.
6. He has been here for 38 years.... he has shown that he will NOT turn away from the only way of divine healing that he knows. Wait he will, and wait he does......
There are many verses in the Bible that speak of "waiting on the Lord" some of these are............... Psalms 27:14
Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!
Psalms 37:9,34
Evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD,
They shall inherit the earth. Wait on the LORD, And keep His way,
And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
The Prophet Isaiah said........
" And I will wait on the LORD, And I will hope in Him.
And my favorite, found in Isaiah 40:31..........
"But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
So, here he is, waiting, and when Christ comes to heal him , there he is.
What an attitude for a sinner!!!!! Waiting, at "MERCIES GATE!!"
Ok... I got off on a tangent ....
Verse 8-9......Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk." And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.
Jesus spoke , and it was. Rise up. The Bible says "immediately" this guy, who had laid there for 38 years.... everyone knew him..... everyone had seen him.......
Enter Jesus.
RISE UP!
This guy jumps to his feet, throws his mat over his shoulder, and walks past everyone, headed for home!!!
Go! And sin no more!"
There is nothing worse than eternal separation from our Living and Loving God.
Verse 15-16...........
The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath.
What a true sign of one who has been cleansed and made whole by the Lord!!!!
Immediately, he found a compelling, and great desire to run and eagerly share the name of Jesus!!!
There are many accounts of Jesus healing people on the Sabbath.
Luke 14:5 was one of these, and Jesus replied to them
"Which of you shall have a child or an ox fall into a well on the Sabbath day, and will not immediately lift him out?"
And Matthew 12:11-12
"Which of you is there," He replied, "who, if
he has but a single sheep and it falls into a hole on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Is not a man, however, far superior to a sheep? Therefore it is right to do good on the Sabbath."
Recap: Just remember that the leaders had just seen a mighty miracle by the hand of God. They also saw a broken rule. They decided to cast aside the miracle and set their focus on the broken rule. Rules that had been defined by men rather than by God. Our application is this. We must always be carful; to never , never get our focus on our man made structures to such a point, that we allow ourselves to miss the mighty hand of God. God is ready and prepared to work in, on and through our lives, but we can shut Him and His miracles out by limiting our views on how he works!!
The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath.
This verse always perplexed me a little. Here, Jesus had just done a mighty miracle in the presence of the religious leaders. A man had just been healed of an infirmity that had plagued his life for the last 38 years. Now, he is standing before these men proclaiming 'see!!! I once was unfit and lame!! Now I am whole!!!
And the response of these men was nothing even close to the awe deserved. They did not even come close to rejoicing with this man,. Or giving the glory that was due the most Holy name of God. They did not even seek by what miraculous power this had come to pass. Rather, scripture reads " The Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him"
First of all, this just adds testimony to what we read back in the first chapter of John........
..And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it........ He cameHis own, and His own did not receive Him..
The most compelling answer to this mystery comes from one of my Sunday school kids. 10 years old!!! I was teaching on the time that Jesus had healed the man with a shriveled hand in the temple on a Sabbath. I had asked all of the kids each to share why they thought that the response of the Jews was so negative in light of the miracle that had taken place. They all had some good Biblical answers. There is one girl who is rather quiet and reserved, but I could tell by the look on her face that she had an answer that I wanted to hear. After a little encouraging, she said
"They were jealous!!! Jesus could heal them, and they couldn't!!!!
I am convinced that this is far closer to the absolute truth than the lame excuse that these men gave. This weak excuse is found at the end of this verse.
"because He had done these things on the Sabbath."
VERSE 17......
"But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working."
There is a great lesson for any follower of Christ to be found within the depth and wisdom of this simple response of our Lord. His focus, His heart, His motivation and His desire is made clear in the first part of this beautiful reply. He simply said to them.................
"My Father has been working until now,"
He is not saying that He had seen this mans great need, and had pity on him, although I am sure that He did, and it was not that He saw this as another great way to magnify Himself, or advance His ministry.
The plain truth is this........ Allow me to paraphrase this if you will..........
'This is where I saw the Father at work.
This is His glory.
This is where I have seen His hand at work.
I have merely joined the Father, in where and in what I see Him doing!!"
He backs this up even further in verse 19 where He declares "I can do nothing by myself!"
What a parallel we can apply to our lives. Let me use the example of witnessing. Lets take two men who have not come to Christ as of yet. One, clearly has the hand of the Father upon his life. God is working. The other has no signs of the mighty hand of God apparent in his life. As for the first, we can see Gods hand working mightily on this man. This one we can go to, and join the Father, boldly proclaiming the things that the Spirit lays on our heart to say or do. This will undoubtedly bear much fruit. Our witness will strengthen the things God has prepared beforehand, to bring glory to Himself, and draw this man closer to the eternal family of God, perhaps even it will be Gods timing for this man to make a decision to receive the Amazing Grace of our Lord.
The other man however, beg and plead, as we might, even if it is with tears, will have no effect to this mans walk with the Lord. At worst, it may even push him further from the Kingdom. For the truth remains, that there is an appointed time for each and every thing that happens. Including an appointed time for seeds to be planted, watered, and decisions to be made for the Kingdom of God. There are literally hundreds of references that speak of this thought.
Job 7:1
" [Is there] not an appointed time to man upon earth?
And in chapter 15 of Job we read that if
"It shall be accomplished before his time, that " his branch shall not be green."
That is pretty clear. I wont go off on a tangent here, because verse 19 totally backs up the idea and the thought and the fact that even Jesus said that He could do nothing of Himself. Even though He was God Incarnate, He only joined the Father in what he saw the Father doing to begin with.
Verse 17......
"But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working."
Verse 18.......
"Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath,
but also said that God was His Father,
making Himself equal with God."
"Therefore the Jews sought.....
That word 'sought' in the Greek language sheds some interesting light on what is being said here..... The word is
'zeteo.'
This word not only means to worship, but it also is the same word that means " to plot (against life)." This evil thought was so intense, that the word used implies that this plot to seek the life of the Lord was so deep in their hearts that it was literally considered an act of false worship.
They worshiped themselves and their vanity. And all the while missed the mighty hand of God.
"Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath......
All the more.......This just tells me that these holier than thou leaders of the society had already set their hearts against the Lord. They could only see their position and unholy praise of men coming undone at the seams by this great ministry of our Lord!
The Sabbath.... The silly thing here is this : the Hebrew origin of; the Sabbath , is "a day of weekly repose from SECULAR avocations"
The mighty hand of God healing this man, was far from 'secular"!!
"But also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God."
The Jews understood exactly what Jesus had said here. Jesus had just boldly proclaimed Himself to be the partaker of the very nature of God Himself!!! Jesus did not disclaim his equality with God, rather He proceeded to illustrate and confirm this throughout His entire ministry.
The men against the Lord did not conclude this by Jesus saying
"My Father"
But by His claim to the sovereign right to act as God did. Jesus sets His seal on this by His next statement. It is beyond all doubt that we see an assumption of peculiar and personal Sonship; and participation in the Fathers essential nature.
Verse 19........
Then Jesus answered and said to them,
"Most assuredly, I say to you,
The Son can do nothing of Himself,
but what He sees the Father do;
for whatever He does,
the Son also does in like manner.
What a claim to absolute equality to the Father!!! Not just to do 'what' the Father does' ; but to do it AS He does!!! Jesus is literally saying
' That which I see the Father doing is what I do!!
Neat note here..... Where we read 'most assuredly', the original text reads
'Truly; truly;' and that word in the Greek is AMEN!
Again, the literal translation reads
'Truly, Truly, the Son can do nothing FROM Himself!!!
Verse 20.......
"For the Father loves the Son,
and shows Him all things that
He Himself does;
and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
For the Father Loves....... the root of this word 'loves' is 'zugos.' The word means 'to be joined' ' a coupling' and 'servitude'. This word denotes personal affection.
"For the Father loves the Son,
and shows Him all things that He Himself does;
...He will show Him greater works than these,
that you may marvel.
Again, I love the literal translation from the original language.. Instead of the word 'marvel' it says
'That you may wonder.'
There is no other way that anyone can come into a knowledge of the Grace and Lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ until they allow their hearts and minds to begin to dwell upon, and 'wonder' about the Mighty Works of God!!
These 'greater things' are summed up in the next 10 verses. Literally speaking,
LIFE, AND JUDGMENT.
VERSE 21.......
"For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them,
ONE ACT, IN TWO STAGES.
The resurrection of the body,
and the restoration of life to it!!!
....... even so the Son gives life to whom He will.
This statement is of immense importance in relation to the miracles of Christ. It distinguishes all of Christs miracles to those that were accomplished through the prophets, apostles and disciples, who were human instruments in the ands of God. The word 'for' in the literal translates 'even as.' the word in the greek is 'hosper' and literally means 'exactly like'
Verse 22 .........
"For the Father judges no one,
but has committed all judgment to the Son,
The judgment is rather a simple concept. Let me go to the book of Revelation for an explanation of exactly what I am saying here. Do not miss this.
The Great White Throne of Judgment.
Turn to chapter 20... I will start in verse 11.........
Then I saw a great white throne
and Him who sat on it,
from whose face
the earth and the heaven fled away.
And there was found no place for them.
And I saw the dead,
small and great, standing before God,
(remember verse 21... in our text today..
"For as the Father raises the dead
and gives life to them
Even so the Son gives life to whom He will..... )
And books were opened.
And another book was opened,
which is the Book of Life.
(Those who have their names written here are those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior; and they are the ones who will enter into His glory.)
And the dead (that is, the spiritually dead, those who are not saved;) were judged according to their works,
by the things which were written in the books.
The sea gave up the dead who were in it,
and Death and Hades delivered up the dead
who were in them.
And they were judged,
each one according to his works.
Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.
This is the second death.
And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Either your name is found within the blessed pages of the Holy Lambs Book of Life, or it is not. If it is, you will enter into the Lords Glorious presence, where you will there be with Him forever and ever. If not, you will burn forever and ever!!
Ok; back to John...........
"For the Father loves the Son,
and shows Him all things that He Himself does;
He will show Him greater works than these,
that you may marvel.
"For as the Father raises the dead
And gives life to them, even so,
The son gives life to whom He will
"For the Father judges no one,
but has committed all judgment to the Son,
The redemption of the elect, the justification that He gives by imparting His righteousness on us, The pardon of our sins through the Blood that He freely shed on the cross of Calvary, and the regeneration and conversion that comes through His Spirit and Grace; and if you ask me, each one of these is by far, a greater work than even that of the making of the world ! Even far greater that the time that he called up Lazarus from the dead. For if you ask me, or anyone else who has been born again, that indeed, we were in the same spiritual condition as Lazarus. We were dead, and Jesus called us to 'come forth' from a Spiritual grave, and we arose into new life! Being 'Born Again'.
This also is rather a simple concept. Jesus will either judge....
'Yes, father, I KNOW them.
Or He will declare....
"Depart from me.... for I never knew you."
Do you know Him.?
Do you have a relationship?
Is it personal and intimate?
verse 23......
"That all should honor the Son
just as they honor the Father.
He who does not honor the Son
does not honor the Father who sent Him."
Jesus told us the same thing in John 14:1. It is there that He said
"Let not your heart be troubled;
you believe in God, believe also in Me."
King David had it going on...God called David "a man after my own heart. he truly had a close, personal and intimate relationship with the Lord. He wrote in Psalm 146:3-6
"Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day his plans perish.
Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
Who made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that is in them;
Who keeps truth forever,"
And 145......
" I will meditate on the glorious splendor of
Your majesty,
And on Your wondrous works.
Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness."
And one more..... 1 Timothy 1:17
"Now to the King eternal,
immortal,
invisible,
to God who alone is wise,
be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."
The Bible says " that all".......... This word 'all' is not to be taken lightly. The word 'all' in the original is 'pas' and is absolutely all inclusive. God has said it. Just as He has spoken, you can count on it coming to pass.
Isaiah 45:22-23 says
"who has declared this from ancient time?
Who has told it from that time?
Have not I, the LORD?
And there is no other God besides Me,
A just God and a Savior;
There is none besides Me.
"Look to Me, and be saved,
All you ends of the earth!
For I am God,
and there is no other.
I have sworn by Myself;
The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness,
And shall not return,
That to Me every knee shall bow,
Every tongue shall take an oath.
Yes, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Either in willing, humble adoration of His everlasting love and Kingship of your life even now, or later, by fearful constraint, as you realize that you have rejected the Only Son of God, falling to your face, realizing far to late that indeed the reward that you rejected was greater that any human mind could have ever conceived, and that it was free.
"that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him."
There are so many verses in the Bible that talk of 'honoring the Father,' and "honoring Jesus Christ" that we could speak of this one subject alone until the soon return of our Lord.
The apostle Paul ended the book of Ephesians by saying " Grace be with all those
who love our Lord Jesus Christ
'in sincerity.'"
.......in sincerity. That sincerity, if it is true, if it is real, if it honestly comes from the heart, that sincerity will indeed reverence the name of Jesus. It will honor Him, It will Love Him. It will never compromise. It will seek His face continually. It will hunger and thirst after His righteousness. It will fervently desire to hear His voice. It will have a GREAT hunger and thirst for His presence, true fellowship with Jesus in your heart. It will never cease to desire a closer walk, even a nearer and dearer relationship with Him. It will be filled with a heart that is on fire for him. It will be consumed by a desire for a Spirit filled walk, desiring to walk in, after and with the Spirit, allowing the Spirit to exercise full control of their lives. It will be one that is increasingly hungry for more of His righteousness, in the heart of John the Baptist who cried, I must become lesser, that He may become greater!' A heart that cries continually for the Lord to increase your faith, that He would make it true! It will be the mark of one who continually has their mouth filled with His praises! That sincerity will always be looking for the place that the Lord is at work, that they may Join Him in what He is doing!~ carrying within a greater heart for service. It will be hungry for His word, seeking all understanding considering His word. It will cry out to Him that His beauty may always be seen in their walk! It will be filled with humility, and teachability. It will be a prayer filled life, as the scriptures have told us to "pray without ceasing". And last but far, far from least, it will be a heart that will always be one that will always be "seeking first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness" In these things; we will truly
" Honor the Son just as they honor the Father"
Verse 24......
"Most assuredly, I say to you,
he who hears My word and
believes in Him who sent Me
has everlasting life,
and shall not come into judgment,
but has passed from death into life.
""Most assuredly, I say to you........... The literal here says...... 'amen, amen, logo, ho LOGOS.' ...... or
'I TELL YOU THE TRUTH,
I LAY FORTH BEFORE YOU
MY DIVINE EXPRESSION"
"he who hears........." "GIVE EAR, LISTEN,
"and believes........."
The literal is "pistis" which is a conviction of truth, a conviction of the truthfulness of God, that God can and will do ALL that He says He will do;
It is 'absolute reliance upon'; it is assurance and it implies nothing less than 'absolute fidelity'. Websters defines 'fidelity' as 'allegiance' 'loyalty' and 'devotion" it means to have faith and to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes............
'Has"...........
The Greek here is "echo" Pronounced ekh'-o
This word 'echo' is a primary verb; and it means to hold such as possessions; to have the ability, to continue in, and, to have a relationship!!,
HAS!! Not may have, not might have, not even does it say 'will' have!
Rather this text says that Jesus has laid before us His divine expression. If you will only listen. Really listen, and really believe that God cannot lie, that all that He says is true, have an absolute reliance upon ALL of His promises, give Him your absolute, undivided allegiance.......loyalty, and devotion, entrusting your future and your life to Him, the Bible says anyone who will do this.....has everlasting life,!!!!!!!!! Life that will last an eternity. Not life as we know it now, for compared to the kingdom that Christ has gone to prepare for us cannot compare. I am assured that there are no words, in any language that has been given to mankind, could even begin to give any justice to the glory and the wonder of the things which Christ has in store for the ones that He has died for, and now calls His own!!!
He said in John 14:2-3
"Behold, I go to prepare a place for you,
and if I go to prepare a place for you,
I will come again to receive you unto myself,
that where I am, there you may be also"
.What a promise!!!!!
Do you hear Him today??
Do you Believe Him?
Do you trust Him?
Do you Know Him?
Does He Know you?
"Most assuredly, I say to you,
he who hears My word
and believes in Him
who sent Me has everlasting life,!!!!!!!
and shall not come into judgment,
but has passed from death into life.
The literal says...... " and into judgment not comes."
Into judgment......Not only will this man not come into Judgment, that is, all who truly believe have their names written in the Lambs Book of Life, but the King James version uses the word "condemnation" instead of the word 'judgment'.
This too has great truth and application, for if you are a son of God, born of His Spirit, there is no condemnation. The bible says that
"There is therefore now no condemnation
to those who are in Christ Jesus,
who do not walk according to the flesh,
but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)
No condemnation. You are absolved from all guilt before God. And if you know Him, you have a beautiful, wonderful and blessed ability, and honor to stand before the presence of a most Holy God, unashamed, unrebuked, finding yourself on terms of one who is truly and fully loved and understood, and knowing that you are there in terms of peace and acceptance.
"and shall not come into judgment............."
That word 'comes' is erchomai
It is a primary verb (used only in the present !!!.) No wonder the Bible tells us to "Choose you THIS DAY who you will serve" and "TODAY is the day of salvation"!!!! Can anyone of you know, beyond any shadow of a doubt that you will be alive next year? Next month? Next week? Or even tomorrow???
"Most assuredly, I say to you,
he who hears My word
and believes in Him who sent Me
has everlasting life,
and shall not come into judgment,
but has passed.........
Has passed...... metabaino ...literally, this means "Has changed places with........"
" from ..."........ " ek " which is a primary preposition denoting origin (the point from where an action or a motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause;)
Yes indeed , if you only believe in Him; you will by His amazing Grace, and sacrifice, even His very blood shed on the cross of calvary, and then through His miraculous resurrection and ascension, you to will trade in the DEATH for LIFE.
From what was, that is in that we were dead in our sinful nature, but have passed into a awesome new life, free from sin and death IN CHRIST. GIVEN FREELY by Christ, through His own inherent will to all who will only believe.
'I once was lost, but now am found'!!!
"Most assuredly, I say to you,
he who hears My word
and believes in Him who sent Me
has everlasting life,
and shall not come into judgment,
but has passed from death into life.
WHAT A PROMISE!!!!!!
Verse 25.....
"Most assuredly, I say to you,
the hour is coming,
and now is,
when the dead will hear the voice
of the Son of God;
and those who hear will live.
"Most assuredly, I say to you.............
Once again we see Jesus say
"Amen, Amen, Lego, Logos....... Giving even Further illustration and greater confirmation of the same thing that He has been speaking about; that is, judgment and life. He is also giving more support to the Truth that He spoke in John 5:21, where He plainly told His listeners that He and the Father were One, and that all that He did, was only what He saw the Father doing, through His own will.
"The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.".......
There is a lot to talk about here. The first, is "the hour is coming........ One thing that we can notice here, is that this was literally fulfilled; here on earth; DURING His ministry.
One such instance was Jairus's daughter. In the 5th chapter of mark we read where Jesus said ....................
39 "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping."
And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."
Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.
And what about the widow of Naim's son when Jesus said, "young man arise," and lets not forget Lazarus, when our Lord called to him, Lazarus come forth. These things alone are full proof that He is equal to God who quickens the dead.
Remember that I also mentioned the account that we read in the book of Matthew, directly following our Lords crucifixion. (27:50)
And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
Remember also, that the dead who are in the grave, and even the sea; will be raised to life at the Great White Throne of Judgment.
Just a short note on this........ every person, ever born will fall into this category, even the believers. The scriptures are clear...... now, I have told you that believers will not be judged, and this is true according to the scriptures, but when I came to this verse, I realized that this truth needs some clarification. Believers WILL appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Not to be judged according to works, which is the 'old covenant' and not by the things that are written within the pages of the 'books,' for the names of those who are born of the Spirit of God are not found written within the 'books' We will not be judged according to our sins, for ALL of those are covered by the shed Blood of Jesus Christ, for all who TRULY KNOW HIM........ It is clear however, that we will on that day give an account to God of our motives and how we used our talents and everything that He has provided for us. Romans 14:12 says...."So then each of us shall give account of himself to God." The motives for everything that we 'supposedly' did for His honor will be exposed. Only that which we REALLY did for His glory, and not our own will endure. The rest will be burned like wood, hay, or straw.
1 Corinthians 3:13 says "each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is." Hebrews 4:12-13 states " For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." Christ will indeed bring to light all that is hidden, and He will expose the motives of what is in every mans heart. Ok, back to our text........
Personally, I believe that the most accurate interpretation of this statement made by Jesus, "The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live."..Is one that is to be understood on a spiritual note. I say likely the most accurate because of the phrase, "they that hear shall live",: follow me here. By the "dead" this is speaking about those who are dead in trespasses and sins; who are separated from God, alienated from the life of God, dead to anything that is spiritually good; and are without spiritual breath, sense, feeling, and a heart knowledge.
The book of Romans 3 says, quoting Isaiah the Prophet
" .... All are under sin. As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;
There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." "Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips"; "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; Destruction and misery are in their ways, and the way of peace they have not known.
"There is no fear of God before their eyes."
"Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them."
In a nutshell.."Without God." Those who do not have that intimacy with Him.
The Scripture here says "The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live."
"The voice" of Christ,..... is speaking about His wonderful Gospel, which is a voice of love, it is a voice of amazing grace, it is a voice that is full of compassion, mercy, truth, and is filled with life and liberty, peace, pardon, righteousness, and salvation that is by Him; accomplished through His power, by and through His voice, and it is of His will. It is the gospel message, it is the means of quickening sinners who are dead to God; not yet born of His Spirit. It is the gift of true life to those who have not yet been raised alive in Christ
When these hear that beautiful Gospel message, when it comes not in word only, but in power, and works that amazing power of 'new birth' within them; and brings them a new spirit, and life, it is "The power of God unto salvation to them;" and when they receive it, understand, believe, and obey it: these people "shall live"; comfortably, pleasantly, and delightfully, a life of faith on Christ, a life of communion with him, and they will live eternally with him.
Just to touch on the phrase "....and now is..."...... The Greek word used here is; "nun'... I would translate this to mean " And now has begun" because in the new testament, King James Bible, this word is most commonly used for the English equivalent of 'hereafter', 'henceforth', and 'soon.' I also take this literally, and believe that among the group of people in His hearing at this very time, are truly hearing this message, and placing their trust in Him. Entering into salvation.
....those who HEAR......
This word 'hear', is used over 400 times in the new testament alone. The Greek is 'akouo'. It is not just letting sound come into your ears, but it means to understand!!! This word is the same word used in the parable of the sower and the seed..... speaking of the seed that fell upon good soil.....(Luke 8:15) ""But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
One more note on this word 'akouo'. It is also translated "hearken" not only does this word clearly imply understanding, that understanding DEMANDS ACTION.
Romans 2:13 " (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;") Jesus said.... "why do you call me Lord; Lord; and do not do the things that I say? I will tell you plainly..DO NOT COMPROMISE!!!!!! HEAR... UNDERSTAND... OBEY.. AND LIVE!!
James 1:22 "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."
James 2:14 "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Speaking of Abraham, 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
....those who HEAR......
. It is not just letting sound come into your ears, but it means to understand!!! and this 'hearing' clearly implies understanding, that understanding DEMANDS ACTION.
VERSE 26 "For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,
The Father Is the living God, the fountain of life, and is the author of life to all living creatures. 1 John 5:11-12 says " And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."
Remember John 1:4 " In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Not only did and does this Life reside within Christ from the beginning, but this Life is manifested to all mankind through Him. Jesus gives this true life to as many as the Father has given Him: He gives it to every one of His sheep, so that not one of them shall perish; which shows that He and His Father are One, though not in person, yet as in affection, will and power, and even in nature and essence. The Son has life in Himself.
Being equally the living God, the Fountain of Life eternal. All that hear Christ's voice spiritually shall live eternally; These words, are a reason of verse 24, and confirm the truth of them, as well as show the equality of the Son with the Father, in that he is equal to such a trust, as to have eternal life committed to him.
John 5:27
"and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Divine authority, appointed and bestowed on Him, because of His humanity, in that He who was without sin, became sin for us, 2 Corinthians 5:21
" For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
John 5:28 "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice
We already have covered this 'hour' which is to come; that is, the judgment.
However, once again, the literal translation sheds great light on this eloquent saying "do not wonder." Literally translated, it reads "Not do wonder"
The word 'not' is 'nay' and means 'do not give a negative answer.' 'Do wonder' is the word thou-mad'-zo and it means to admire: basically and simply said, "Do not fail to admire what I have told you"!!! In this verse, Jesus is clearly speaking only of the final resurrection! Either from death to Life, or death to death eternal.
Verse 29 "and come forth those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
the resurrection of life..... that is; Life eternal, forever in the wonderful presence of God, Revelation 22 "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever".
or the resurrection of condemnation..... that is, hell. Eternal separation from Him. Where the scriptures tell us that Revelation 14 "These shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. "And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night,"
I tell everyone the absolute truth. This choice is a no brainer. And i will emphasize the word CHOICE. For indeed the choice is yours. Will you really HEAR His voice?? How Will you respond??? Will you seek His face? Will you earnestly seek and desire a intimate, close and personal relationship with Jesus?
Do you KNOW His voice? Most important...... does He know you?....I mean does He know you in the sense of a intimate relationship? How will He respond on this day? Will it be "Well done, good and faithful servant!! Come! Enter in! And share in your masters gladness!!!!!
Or, will it be "Depart from me you evil doer....I never knew you." I tell you the truth..... the choice is yours..... choose you this day WHO you will serve.
VERSE 36
"But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish the very works that I do bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.
Christ tells us here that He has a greater witness.... I think that this word 'witness' is the best translation. Many versions use the word 'testimony'.... The word used is
"marturia".. And is literally 'The evidence that is given"......
He says 'the works that the Father has given Me to finish'........
The literal says "That I may finish them themselves" The first note here is the word 'finish' the Greek is 'teleioo" it not only means to complete, to bring to a close through fulfillment, but it also means 'to make perfect.' Best of all, this is an accountants term. It means "PAID IN FULL"!!!!!!!! 'Them themselves' or in the Greek is 'autos autos' definitely plural, emphasized by the repetition of this pronoun. Neat thing about this word 'autos' is that it is compared to the word 'AER' which is literally to breath. Fulfilling all of the things that the Father had prepared before the foundation of the world was as natural to Jesus as breathing!
This is almost the same verbiage that Christ used, and most assuredly the same thought that He used in John 4:34 " Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work."
And indeed, these things were given by the Father, for we read in John 3:35
"The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.
Many say that this was accomplished upon the Cross. But look if you will at John 17:4; as He prayed in the garden, before He was led away to be crucified; Jesus prays, saying "I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.".... He said this knowing that all Had indeed been accomplished that He came to do. And that these works bore witness of Him.
He repeated this truth in John 10:25
"Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me."
Jesus is taking no credit for doing anything here. He is giving all of the glory to the Father. Remember that Christ, who was and is the very image of the Father, never pointed to Himself, but always to the Father. In John 14:1,7-11, we see further testimony by Jesus to this.
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
"If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
11 "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
My favorite proclamation in regards to these works; is found in one of the greatest verses within the pages of the entire Bible. ( John 19:30)
"So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit."
Ok. Lets talk about the works that we are speaking about here, And what they are. The first thing that comes to mind is the proclamation of the Gospel. The good news, the very thing that he came to do, revealing the pure, perfect, righteous and Holy will of the Father to all of mankind.
We read in Luke , chapter 4, the doctor quoting the prophet Isaiah (61:1,2)
"And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Secondly, he set up his kingdom here on earth. By calling His Disciples, keeping them with Him, teaching them as they abided with Him continually, they were prepared to spread Gods great mercy, grace and gospel of peace and reconciliation.
Christ fulfilled the law..... that is bring an end to the old covenant, issuing in the new.....there are a years worth of studies in the old testament on the old covenant, and promises of God to all of His children that He would bring this first covenant to an end, and issue in a new covenant; one that our great Father has told us will have no end. That it will be everlasting. One of my favorite verses on this is found in ..... Ezekiel 16:60-63
"Nevertheless I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. "Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed, when you receive your older and your younger sisters; for I will give them to you for daughters, but not because of My covenant with you. "And I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the LORD, "that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done," says the Lord GOD.' "
In a nutshell, the old covenant said; "DO this, and live" "If you will DO this, I will bless you." And then the New Covenant which says;
"Accept what I have DONE"
Lastly; and greatest of all of the works that Jesus is speaking of here is that mans salvation was worked out for us by Gods sacrifice, His only begotten Son, the Great sacrifice by our Lord upon the Cross of Calvary, shedding His blood, freely; sacrificing His life that we may have life, and have it more abundantly, for those who have accepted His amazing Grace, they have been freely pardoned and forgiven, they are able to stand shamelessly before the very throne and presence of He who loves us with an everlasting love, having His great love made to be alive in our hearts and our lives, and we are cleansed, forgiven, justified, sanctified, glorified and seated with him in the heavenlies...... a work that was completed as Jesus cried out those final and power filled words on the cross
IT IS FINISHED!!!!
"So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit."
VERSE 36
"But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish the very works that I do bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. See Hebrews 2:4 Acts 2:22
Yes indeed, these things do give an undeniable witness that Jesus is the Son of God. That He was sent from God. Even more than that... that He is God!!!!
Remember that God is infinite and omniscient.... that is, He is not bound by time as we understand it. So I believe that this statement goes beyond this moment on the cross. He is also speaking of what He will do from that moment on, saying these things as well are finished. Accomplished and made possible by His sacrifice; the final sacrifice; necessary for all things to be accomplished. Now, by our limited And finite minds, this is a mystery to us. Almost impossible to fully comprehend or understand. But the Bible is clear; and God cannot lie.
The things that I am speaking of here are; The resurrection of Himself from the dead, The sending and pouring out of the Gifts and Power of the Spirit, the spreading of His Gospel throughout the world, the conversion and 'New Birth' of His Redeemed ones, the gathering in the fulness of the Gentiles, the conversion of the Jews, the destruction of the Antichrist, the resurrection of all the dead, and the judgment of the whole world. We have to believe that all these things are included in this verse, for when He cried "It is finished" on the cross, none of these things mentioned had come to pass as of yet, yet He did say that it was indeed finished.
All of which are undeniable proof to men of his divine Sonship;
Lets move on.
VERSE 37 "And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form.
The first thing I would like to point out here is that Jesus is again taking no credit for anything here as we see in john 14:1,7-11
1 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
7 "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
11 "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
God the Father testified in many ways. Not only did He testify through the Prophets, which we have already spoke of, but what about when Christ was baptized? We see in Mark 1:9-11
" It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Now, without the literal translation, this verse and thought could prove to be confusing, VERSE 37 "And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form.
The first note here.... the literal says 'He who sent me has testified of me'
this word 'He' here is the same word 'autos" again! By the breath of the Father!
Remember, this word is a Personal pronoun! He!!
Jesus says that the Father has testified of Him; yet that they have never heard His voice! Yet in the Greek, the word 'heard' is 'akouo" and means ...........
"To attend to", "to understand", "to perceive" and to "learn by what has been heard" basically; Jesus had told them that even though the truth had come to their ears, they did not have a clue. Even though they professed to have the knowledge of the scriptures, through Moses and the prophets, they obviously missed it. Knowledge within itself means nothing. They had no true communion with God. They had no fellowship with Him. They did not KNOW Him.
He says that they had never seen His form.....John 1:18 says "No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him." In Exodus 33:20, God told Moses, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live."
VERSE 38 "But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe
2 Corinthians 4:4 says....... "lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them."
And remember the first chapter in John where we read "IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
The word........ LOGOS.
So, we see that the voice and the Image of God is Jesus Christ Himself, and we can easily see that through their vanity, they simply did not have Christ, nor did they Know Him. Jesus is the Word. We read in John 14:15-20,23
"If you love Me, keep My commandments. "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. "At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
.VERSE 38 "But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe.
An important word here for our lives is the word "Abide' ('meno') = continually
How many times are we exhorted through the scriptures to Abide in Him?
John 15:4-11
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."
HOW? You may ask then do I 'abide" in Him? Simple. Through first your confession of faith, when you are born again, he has promised that He would come and live within you. He has promised that He would never leave of forsake you! You Abide in Him through PRAYER; the Bible teaches us that we should 'pray without ceasing" we Abide through FELLOWSHIP. And we Abide through staying continually in His Word.
VERSE 39 "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
Yes, they boasted on their knowledge of the scriptures, and of Moses; but if they really had these precious truths abiding in their hearts, they would have readily recognized and accepted Christ.
It would seem that they readily believed that the scriptures taught them that within the scriptures one could find eternal life. But there is where they missed it. They thought that they had life eternal through reading and studying the scriptures....
VERSE 40 "But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.
The literal says "And not you desire." That word 'desire' is "Thelo" and is literally translated "To find delight in."
This lack was not a problem in understanding the scriptures, it was a stubborn lack of desire, they were just not 'willing.' Christ offered them LIFE; and they refused to accept. There is Life to be had with Christ. There is comfort, peace, pardon, and Mercy and Grace without measure, but one must COME TO CHRIST for it!
It is the perfection and completion for our very being... Christ IS our Life! You must be willing to come to Him!!! Apart from Him there is NO LIFE. Sinners do not die because they cannot come to Him.... they die because they will not.
VERSE 41 "I do not receive honor from men." As if He needed any!!! This is speaking in the present tense however, for God has declared that on that day of Judgment that "Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of all"!!!!
VERSE 42 "But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.
This word 'Love' here is 'agape' that undefiled, and perfect love.
Note the way that this says 'In you' that is ; seated IN THE HEART; as a living and active principle. Romans 5:5 says "Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Remember; Jesus, who waws God manifest in the flesh; and with that thought remember that "God IS love"!
Jesus says "I know you" He who searches the minds and hearts of all men knows each of us better that we know ourselves!!!
The next claim that Jesus will make here is their readiness to entertain false christs and false prophets, while they stubbornly refused to receive the true Messiah.
VERSE 43 "I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.
Even this was clearly Prophesied Jeremiah 2:12-13
"My people have changed their Glory For what does not profit. Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate," says the LORD.
For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns broken cisterns that can hold no water.
These foolish men 'changed their glory' which should have been the glory of the Lord; into glorying in themselves.
Scriptures clearly tell us that Jesus Christ is the very fountain of "Living Water"
'Broken cisterns.....' Clearly; one that cannot even hold that which is poured into it!
I also think that this may even be eluding to the antichrist, for this says
" him you will receive. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 says "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,"
So, they are hearby charged with 'pride' and 'vain glory'
VERSE 44 "How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?
This is the root of their problem, we have spoke of this before. They were puffed up. They sought after honor and praise from men. They admired and overvalued themselves. Christ despised this kind of honor. Remember verse 41?
"I do not receive honor from men."
But for those of us who are in Christ Jesus; the bible tells us in Romans 2:29
"But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
"I do not receive honor from men."
Instead of the word 'honor' the literal is "zeteo" and means worship....
"You worship yourselves and each other...... and you refuse to worship the only true God." Because of this, Jesus tells them ..........
VERSE 45 "Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you Moses, in whom you trust".
Basically, it was Moses who went up on the hill to receive the law and the commandments from God. It is by the Law that all men stand condemned. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. If you are guilty of one, you are guilty of all. The law was designed by God to point us to Christ, to bear witness to our sinful nature, and inability to adhere in perfection, and our need for a perfect sacrifice; ONCE FOR ALL. It was Moses who prophesied greatly and at length in regards to the messiah who was to come. And yet ; they could look no further than Moses. They trusted Moses, yet they did not believe him.
VERSE 46-47
"For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. "But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?"
The word "words" here; is 'rhema' and means a collective of all of His commands.
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They were more concerned with their petty rules than the health and welfare and life of a human being!
"The Jews said to him, ' It is the Sabbath day!! It is not lawful for you to carry your bed"!.
Verse 11-12 He answered them, "He who made me whole said to me, 'Take up your bed and walk.' " Then they asked him, "Who is the Man who said to you, 'Take up your bed and walk'?"
Curious note here.... they did not ask him... "who healed you?" I am sure that they already knew the answer to this one, in light of the previous miracles that had been done by our Lord.... that question would have condemned themselves and defeated their purpose. Rather, they asked him.... who would even dare to tell you to break the rules that we have laid down concerning the Sabbath?
Their clever less words were a weak and pitiful attempt to shake this mans faith in his Healer! Think about this........
Has anyone ever asked you questions, or make statements that are a guise of an attempt to shake your faith in your Healer?
Verse 11..... what a beautiful and simplistic answer!!!!
He answered them, "He who made me well said to me, 'Take up your bed and walk.' "
Jesus said it, I did it. No need for any questions on my part!!! Remember, the Bible said that IMMEDIATELY he took up his bed. No delay. No questions asked. Just perfect and pure faith.
Verse 12......... Then they asked him, "Who is the Man who said to you, 'Take up your bed and walk'?"
Again, I really think that these Pharisees knew exactly who this man was speaking of.
Verse 13.........But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place.
By this, I do not think that this man had ever heard of Jesus before, and by the size of the crowd, it is clear that Jesus did not stick around to fellowship with this man. The application that I can draw here is this...... If you have accepted Jesus as you Savior and Lord, Jesus came into your life, and made you whole. You may not see him right now, and there will be times in your life that you may feel that you cannot see Him. But the Lord came right back to him to reassure him of Himself, and the miracle of this mans wholeness. Look at
verse 14.....Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you."
This reminds me of the same thing that He said to the adulteress who was caught in the very act of Adultery. Jesus told her........
"daughter, your sins are forgiven you. Go,
And sin no more!"
It is the very same thing that our Risen Lord says to each and everyone who turns their eyes upon Jesus, admits their need for Him, their inability to pay the penalty for their own sins, waits earnestly on Him and has faith in His promises....... the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords who comes to you, asks you "
"Do you want to be made whole?"
Will also say to you..........
"See, you have been made well, your sins are forgiven you.
There is also a clear warning here. Jesus said.....
"Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you."
Verse 15-16...........
FROM!!
>p>Not only doing the same Divine act, but doing it as a result of HIS OWN WILL!!!!
