The Highlights Package! (John 5:18-30)

Posted on December 11, 2017 Updated on December 11, 2017

MediaHandler.ashx

In the gospels, there sections where its like you’ve switched to the highlights package! Sections like this seem packed with revelations about who Jesus really is, how Jesus relates to the Father and the Father to the Son or Spirit – John 5:18-30 is a section just like that. Having just healed the invalid at the Pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath, Jesus’ authority & His claimed identity and or relationship with God is being challenged by some Jewish people and then Jesus speaks in a way that is just packed with self-revelation.

So let’s survey this short section and marvel at all we can glean about the Godhead from what Jesus said in it:

‘Truly, truly, I say to you’ (vs19) – Jesus is often referred to as ‘Rabbi’ by people engaging with Him. That is how they saw Jesus, as a teacher. But Jesus was unlike all the other Rabbi’s! They used to quote Scripture, quote one another. Jesus, however, is recorded by John as saying; “Truly, truly I…” 25x in his gospel. Jesus’ authority was remarked on by those who heard Him, Jesus didn’t come to interpret other’s teaching, He came as God the Omniscient One in human flesh bringing direct revelation understanding to those who listened.
‘the Son can do nothing of his own accord…’ (vs19) – In stark contrast to the first half of vs19 is this phrase. Here we learn that although fully God, Jesus came to do the will of God the Father. Despite Jesus having all authority as God, Jesus came to serve the will of God the Father. Jesus’ will was to serve the will of the Father.
‘For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing’ (vs20) – there is a beautiful relationship between the Father and the Son described here. God the Father loves the Son and so shares all that’s in His heart and mind with the Son. The Father draws the Son into His plans and purposes as a Son not a servant!
‘the Son gives life to whom He will’ (vs21) – both the Father and the Son have the ability to suspend the normal progression of life and death. In this the Father and Son are equal in their power to raise to life or give eternal life.
‘The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honour the Son.’ (vs22-23) – the Father wants the Son honoured by all! For this reason there are roles assigned by the Father exclusively to Jesus so that Jesus may be honoured before all people.
‘Whoever does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent Him’ (vs23) – one cannot divide up the Godhead, one cannot choose to honour the Father but not Jesus. This verse contains the revelation that all other religions like Judaism, Islam, Jehovah’s Witnesses stumble over – to reject that Jesus is God is to reject God Himself.
Believing in Jesus results in eternal life! (vs24) – again Jesus quotes no one, but exclaims with utter conviction and authority that anyone who believes what He says about Himself and salvation, that person has eternal life. Such a person has passed from death into life that’s eternal. Anyone who makes statements like this is either a terrible con-man, a certified nutcase or is really God Himself.
‘He has given authority to execute judgement’ (vs27) – The Father has assigned the role of Judge to Jesus. Jesus is the One before every man, woman and child from every age and every culture will stand one day. We all have an appointment with Jesus the Judge that we didn’t schedule, but we can’t avoid, or be late for, or re-schedule. Our personal opinion about that appointment doesn’t change its reality one iota, but knowing Jesus is our Judge who will execute judgment encourages us to reach out to Him now while we can so that He becomes our Saviour and Friend in such a way that we will never have to fear that day again.
‘I can do nothing on my own…I seek not my own will but the will of Him who sent me’ (vs30) – what humility from the Judge of all the earth! Jesus’ submission to the Father and His preoccupation with pleasing the Father is inspiring! May I, may we be like Him.