John: Death to Life

John 5:18-47

Early in his ministry, the religious leaders challenged Jesus, and they seemingly had many reasons to do so. The law of Moses required the Sabbath to be kept holy, and the religious leaders had set strict rules about what could and couldn't be done. One major issue they had with Jesus was that he healed on the Sabbath (John 5:1-17; Mk. 3:1-6; Lk. 13:10-17; Lk. 14:1-6). The recent healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda was problematic for them. But there was an even more troubling issue — this statement: “But Jesus answered them, 'My Father is working until now, and I am working’” (John 5:17). 

Jesus justified himself by saying that the Father continues to work on the Sabbath. God sends the sun, causes the plants grow, and sustains the universe. Naturally, since Jesus is God, he also has the authority to work. This declaration added a new layer to the Jewish leaders’ protests. Jesus called God “My Father,” equating himself with God. The Jews clearly understood this claim of deity.

John 5:18
This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. 

Even a casual reader of the Gospels cannot miss this point: Jesus claimed to be God! He identified himself as equal to God. John confirms this in the first chapter of his gospel. Now, we see this theological truth demonstrated in real life: Jesus is God in human form. You can't dismiss Jesus as just a good teacher or sage. As C. S. Lewis states, that conclusion is not an option. Lewis famously says that Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord of heaven. There are no other choices. But the Jewish leaders willingly overlooked the signs of the Messiah. They saw Jesus’ assertion as blasphemy and used it to condemn him on the cross… all according to God’s plan. 

In John 5:19-47, Jesus responds to the Jewish leaders with a detailed discourse. Let’s carefully examine Jesus’ explanation, which emphasizes two key truths: Jesus’ unity with the Father (John 5:19-30) and the Father’s testimony about Jesus (John 5:31-47).

Unity with the Father (John 5:19-30)
Jesus clarified that he does not act separately from God. He states, “The Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing” (John 5:19). The Son and Father work in tandem. 

This unity is rooted in the Father’s love for the Son. The Jewish leaders would see even stronger evidence of this unity (John 5:20). Both the Father and the Son give life (John 5:21). People would witness Jesus’ power to raise the dead and see him rise from the dead himself later. 

The Father gave the Son the role of Judge. Jesus has been given the authority to carry out judgment. And one day, “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 5:28b-29). The resurrection to life or judgment depends entirely on a person’s relationship with Jesus. 

John 5:24
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.

After my dad died, I stayed at home and commuted to college for a semester. I often used the drive to memorize Scripture. This is one of the passages I learned. I had watched my dad pass away, which was hard, but this verse reminded me of what had taken place. My dad had moved from death to eternal life. 

I believe Jesus is making two points here. A person who trusts in him passes from spiritual death to spiritual life now. We become new creatures in Christ. When we die, we transition from physical death to eternal life. What an encouragement and comfort!

The Father’s Witness of Jesus (John 5:31-47)
Jesus explained to the religious leaders that if he were the only one making claims about himself, his testimony would be suspect (John 5:31). However, John the Baptist, described as a “burning and shining lamp,” bore witness to him (John 32-35). Furthermore, “the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me” (John 5:37a).

God also revealed his Son through the Old Testament prophecies. Yet, the religious leaders studied the Scriptures without recognizing the Savior. 

John 5:39-40
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

The Jewish leaders in New Testament times thought the study of the Scriptures alone was the way to achieve eternal life. Here are two examples from their writings:

• “He who has acquired the words of the law has acquired for himself the life of the world to come.”[1]
  
  
• “Great is the law for it gives to those who practice it life in this world and in the world to come.”[2]

The religious leaders knew parts of the Scripture by heart but did not have God’s love in their hearts (John 5:42). They placed their hope in the law given by Moses. However, Jesus states that Moses is the one who accuses them (John 5:45b). This is ironic because Moses was the very person the leaders trusted in. Jesus concludes:

John 5:46-47
“For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” 

Moses said that God would raise up a prophet like himself, and “it is to him you shall listen” (Dt. 18:15). However, the leaders refused to listen to or believe what Moses said. At least, they were unwilling to apply Moses’ very words to Jesus, as their Messiah stood before them.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Jesus’ words to the religious leaders in John 5:18-47.

Talking to God:  Thank God for his Son—fully God, fully man.

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