John - Week 13

The Son Gives Life 

READ 

John 5:20-21 

20 “For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished. 21 For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants.” 

Jesus further explains His intimate relationship with the heavenly Father. Notice that nothing the Father does is hidden from the Son. And Jesus claims the same power to raise the dead that the Father has. Notice also that the Son gives life “to anyone he wants.” It is a mystery to know whom Jesus wishes to heal and extend life and to whom He does not. A sobering reminder is that all healing is temporary because some day everyone will be in eternity. 

REFLECT 

Have you ever made a study of the sovereignty of God to see that He is in ultimate control but does not do the same for every individual? 

RESPOND 

How do you remind people that someday we’ll all be in eternity? Talk with a friend about ideas on how to address this topic with others. Even in hospital visitation you can pray the patient will be all right after treatment, but slip in the reminder that someday we’ll all be in eternity.  

Authority to Judge 

READ 

John 5:22-24 

22 “In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, 23 so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him. 24 I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” 

There are several judgments mentioned in the Bible. Two special ones are the Judgment Seat of Christ for believers (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) and the Great White Throne judgment for unbelievers (Revelation 20:11-15).  Have you wondered who will be the judge at these? The answer is in this passage. Some want only to talk about God the Father and not God the Son. This passage reveals if you do not honor both; you do not honor either. Verse 24 is one to remember and memorize as you share your faith with others. 

REFLECT 

Have you read about the two judgments mentioned above? These can help you in witnessing to others. 

RESPOND 

You can use the above passage in reminding others that someday each person will stand face-to-face with the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The Time Is Coming 

READ 

John 5:25-27 

25 “And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. 26 The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son. 27 And he has given him authority to judge everyone because he is the Son of Man.” 

When He was on earth, Jesus reminded people they were hearing the voice of the Son of God. 

Those who hear the voice of God will live, as when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (see John 11:1-44).  The words from God are powerful as even the Word of God is (see Hebrews 4:12). When Jesus returns to earth He will speak unbelieving nations out of existence (see Revelation 19:15). “Son of Man” is a title that the Lord Jesus Christ used to refer to Himself. The use Jesus made of it in John 5:27 is a clear reference to Daniel 7:13-14 and reveals His claim to be the Messiah of Israel.  

REFLECT  

Would you like a Bible study exercise? Begin reading the four gospels and make a note of each time the expression “Son of Man” is used. 

RESPOND  

You and a Christian friend need to read the passages mentioned above in parentheses. Did you know you served such a powerful God?

My Judgment Is Just 

READ 

John 5:28-32 

28 “Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, 29 and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment. 30 I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will. 31 If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid. 32 But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true.” 

Jesus is the prime example of one who did not want to please Himself but rather please His heavenly Father. One’s judgment can be impartial when the judge is not motivated by outside forces or even inner impulses. Jesus did not expect others to take His word about who He really was. One clear testimony from the Father about the Son is found at the baptism of Jesus. The Father said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him” (Luke 9:35). 

REFLECT 

Have you spent some time thinking about how much the heavenly Father loves the Son and all that He is and does? 

RESPOND 

Spend some time journaling about what you thought about, and how you can share that with others. 

John's Testimony 

READ 

John 5:33-35 

33 “In fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true. 34 Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved. 35 John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message.” 

Jesus now begins to show His questioners their hypocrisy in believing others but not Him. 

Even though Jesus did not need human witnesses, He pointed out that the Jewish leaders investigated John the Baptist and they were excited about him for a time, but it is apparent they did not believe the credentials of Jesus as the Messiah of Israel. Notice the reason Jesus gave for saying what He did: “so you might be saved.” 

REFLECT 

Have you ever asked those to whom you are witnessing what it would take to cause them to believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world? 

RESPOND 

Consider the passage where the rich man was pleading for someone to rise from the dead and warn his sons not to come where he was. He was told, “If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:31). You and other believers need to use this in your witnessing.