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June 22,2007; Jesus, Prince of Preachers and Premier Prophet (3 of 12)

Focus Text: John 5.17-29

Today we continue to consider the character of Jesus as revealed in His sermons.

“But Jesus answered them [the hostile Jewish leaders in Jerusalem], ‘My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.’ 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. Then Jesus answered and said to them…” (John 5.17-19a). What follows in this text are extraordinarily clear and explicit claims of Jesus relative to His Deity; the Jews said He was “…making Himself equal with God.” Jesus said, in essence, “I don’t make Myself equal with God; I am equal with God!”

Argument #1: “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.” (John 5.21). Back to basics; “as” and “so” are to adverbs that usually indicate a comparison of two or more items, people, or actions. In the text just cited, Jesus placed the power of the Father in raising the dead alongside the power of the Son in giving life to others. As the Father did, so does the Son! There simply can be no mistaking this point! The Father holds life in His Hand; so does the Son.

Argument #2: “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 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. 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.” (John 5.22-24). Besides the ancillary statements, catch this phrase for all its worth – “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life…” Everlasting life was and is the quest of all who are spiritual. Jesus clearly taught that all who hear Him also hear the Father and that this same set of people (those who believe in the Father AND the Son) have everlasting life.

Argument # 3: “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. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth——those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” (John 5.25-29). Herein is a truly amazing statement – “All who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth.” This statement is the affirmation of the universal power of the Son; not just a race, or an age, or an ethnicity, but ALL! Universal Messiah and Son of God!

If we are to honor Jesus, we must see Him for who He was and is! He was not just a great preacher or a righteous prophet; He was the Son of God, and as such, Very God! Honor Him by proclaiming Him to be Messiah!

Questions:

1. What “sacred” law of the Jesus had Jesus allegedly broken?

2. To whom did Jesus say the Son gave life? What is the significance of this statement?

3. According to Jesus, who has eternal life? By implication, who doesn’t?

4. According to Jesus, what portion of the dead will hear His voice? How does that claim compare with the mistaken Jewish perception of Messiah?

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

The Importance of Prayer