#8 – Knowing God Better – John 5 continued

Today we’re just going to hit a few highlights in John 5:19-47.

In this section, Jesus is trying to get through to these highly religious Jews, who now want to kill him!

Jesus is about to explain further his relationship to the Father.

In the Middle East culture, it is common for someone from Egypt to be called, a “son of the Nile.” That means, he comes from Egypt. Or, to be called a “son of the Cedars” that means you are from Lebanon.

Back in verse 18, we’ve already seen that Jesus “called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God.”

The term, “Son of God” means he came from God. It speaks of Jesus’ unique origin and relationship with the Father.

Q – In verse 19 & 20 below, what does Jesus say he can see?
A –

19 So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing.

Q – In the next verses below, what else does Jesus say he can do?
A –

21 For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants. 22 In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge,

Q – In verse 23, what conclusion does Jesus want them to reach?
A –

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.

Q – In verse 24 below, what does Jesus offer and promise them?
A –

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.

John 5:24 is a good summary of much of what Jesus said. It’s a great verse to write down, memorize, and share with others!

Q – Skipping down to verse 36 now. What proof does Jesus give that he actually is from God, that he can give eternal life to those who believe?
A –

The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me.

Remember, this conversation happens after Jesus healed a man who had been seriously ill for 38 years…who is now walking around well! This is just one of many, many miracles that Jesus performs.

Q – In the next verse below, how is Jesus different from them?
A –

37 And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face, 38 and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me–the one he sent to you.

Q – In the next verse below, Jesus is talking about the Old Testament scriptures…from Moses, David, Isaiah, etc. What do you notice in these next statements from Jesus?
A –

39 “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! 40 Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.

The people thought that if they memorized the Scriptures and tried to follow everything in them, they could earn eternal life. Jesus is pointing out that he is central to eternal life.

Q – In these next two verses, Jesus explains their problem. What is it?
A –

44 No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God. 46 If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me.

Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible. It has been estimated that there are over 300 Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah, that Jesus fulfilled.

We have an article about this, if you’re interested:
www.everystudent.com/wires/judaism.html

Q – How would you summarize the main points you learned in today’s Bible study?
A –

It’s great to dig through these verses with you! Next study is John 6. We’re going to hit just a few verses in it. Jesus talks again about how to have eternal life!

Thank him for giving YOU eternal life!

Questions? Send an email, and someone will personally reply to you:
www.everystudent.com/contact.php

Sincerely,

Marilyn Adamson
director of EveryStudent.com
and StartingwithGod.com