March 26, 2020

SEVEN in Him

John 5:18–47

James Romero
Thursday's Devo

March 26, 2020

Thursday's Devo

March 26, 2020

Central Truth

Jesus did not go on to explain or recant His statement in John 5:17 calling God "My Father," but instead Jesus continued in John 5:19-30 to authenticate His claim to be God.

Key Verse | John 5:18-19a

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. So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you . . . ."

John 5:18–47

Jesus Is Equal with God

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.

The Authority of the Son

19 So Jesus said to them, “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 1 5:19 Greek he does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 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.

25 Truly, truly, I say to you, 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. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Witnesses to Jesus

30 I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

Footnotes

[1] 5:19 Greek he

Dive Deeper | John 5:18–47

The Jews were determined more than ever to kill our Lord Jesus for His claim, "My Father is working until now, and I am working." This was not the only time in John's Gospel that the Jews clearly understood what Jesus was saying and wanted to kill Him for it (see also John 10:30-33). On both occasions, Jesus was claiming to be equal with God and, in fact, to be God.

As the interaction continues, Jesus goes on to make SEVEN claims of equality with God. Although some have said that Jesus never claimed to be God, the New Testament writers (along with the Jews' reactions in the Gospels) show us something different. Jesus makes it clear from John 5:18-30 that He is equal in His Works, Knowledge, Judgment, Honor, Self-Existence, and power to Resurrect and Regenerate. 

There is no doubt in what Jesus was stating: He is equal to God in His nature and in every way. He is one with God, yet related to Him in a Father-Son relationship. He is "the Word made flesh" (John 1:1-3), "the radiance of the glory of God," and "the exact imprint of His nature" (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is God and Lord of all!

I was reminded it is only by God's grace that I myself can utter the words of Peter found in Matthew 16:16, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Apart from God's intervention, I would still be dead in my trespasses and sins and hardened to the truth that God Himself came into the world to save sinners.

This is the good news that we, as Christians, are called to share with others. God has come in the person of Jesus Christ. We can show others in the Scriptures what has been said about Him and what He has said about Himself, and we can demonstrate the love of Christ by how we live our lives.

Discussion Questions

1. What other passages can we look to in the Gospels that show Jesus to be God?

2. Is there anyone in your life now whom you can share with what Jesus said about Himself?

3. What can be an easy way for you to remember the SEVEN in Him? Post it in the comments below!