Day 5. Pray / Read / Pray / Journal 1. What does this chapter teach me about Jesus? 2. What does this chapter teach me about myself and others? Chapter summary. Back in Jerusalem, Jesus heals an invalid at the pool of Bethesda (5:1–9). The incident stimulates a controversy, as Jesus had told him to pick up his bedding and walk—and it was the Sabbath (vv. 10–14). When the man reports Jesus is the one who healed him and told him to carry his bedding, the Jews (John’s term for the religious leaders in distinction to the common people) persecute Him (vv. 15–16). Jesus then publicly identifies Himself with God the Father (vv. 17–18) and not only goes on at length to prove His claim is valid, but also insists that He is the source of eternal life (vv. 19–30). This claim is validated not only by Jesus’ miracles, but by the Scriptures themselves. Any who reject Him stand accused by the very book they claim to believe is God’s Holy Word! (vv. 31–47) Key verse. 5:24: Belief brings life. Personal application. Eternal life isn’t something we will have in the future. It’s something we possess now. Key concepts. Healing » Isaiah 1, Matthew 9, 2 Corinthians 12–13. Deity of Jesus » John 1:1–18, John 10. Father » Deuteronomy 31–32, Luke 12. Truth » 1 John 1. INSIGHT An angel stirs the water (5:4). This verse is omitted from the NIV because no manuscripts of John from earlier than the 4th century contain it. Most believe this was a superstition, added to the text long after John wrote. “Do you want to get well? (5:6). The question is psychologically and spiritually acute. Many do not want to see their situation change, no matter how grim it is. The paralyzed man undoubtedly made his living begging. He would be responsible to make his own living. Physical, psychological, and spiritual healing all have this in common: One who is healed must change and take responsibility for his or her own self. All too many people resist the Gospel because they do not want to “get well!” He told me (5:11). How much wiser to obey the Healer than those who tell you what to do, but neither care about you nor have ability to help! He told the Jews (5:15). The healed man has been criticized for a lack of gratitude and even for “blaming” Jesus when he was caught carrying his bedding. But Christ never told the man not to report who had healed him. It’s unwise for us to invent motives and then criticize anyone, especially this man, who obeyed Jesus by carrying his bedding even though he knew it was the Sabbath. I work (5:17). Jesus pointed out that God does not take the Sabbath off, but keeps the universe running. So of course Jesus works also. This identification of Himself with the creative works of God was tantamount to a claim of deity. Equal with God (5:18). Some even today say that Jesus never claimed to be God. Such people simply do not read the N.T. carefully. Jesus’ enemies knew very well exactly what He was claiming. They refused to believe and determined to kill Him. Cross from death to life (5:24). Sin condemns and kills. All have sinned, so all are both condemned and spiritually dead. Belief in Christ removes condemnation and brings eternal life. “Eternal life” (5:24). Eternal life is more than endless. It has a unique quality and character all its own. Eternal life is God’s own life, infused with His vitality and moral character, given to us through spiritual birth. Those with this life can have fellowship with God and with other believers, for we are linked to Him and one another by eternal bonds. John 5 is one of the N.T.’s basic passages on eternal life. Other key passages link eternal life with faith (John 3:15–36) and with Christ’s shepherd work (10:10–18, 25–30). Possession of eternal life will show itself in obedience and love (1 John 2–3). The bondage that is our heritage with death is broken by Jesus’ life-giving cross (Rom. 5:12–21), and the Holy Spirit’s power flows through us, enabling us to express our new nature in righteous living here and now (Rom. 6:1–11). It is this, a wonderful new and eternal life, which we possess immediately when we believe in the Son (1 John 5:10–12). Richards, L. O. (1991). The Bible reader’s companion (electronic ed.) (682). Wheaton: Victor Books.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 12:35:40 +0000
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