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John 5:22-23 “Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.”
LET’S recall that one main reason John wrote his gospel is to defend Jesus as divine. He was likely writing specifically to the Ephesus church to encourage them to steadfastly believe Jesus is Savior, the Son of God. John uses chapter 5, then, to report on Jesus’ own divine defense. It is very difficult, yes, almost impossible for the Jews to believe God would be a man, especially a poor rabbi who has worked as a carpenter. After all, they have learned from God’s own Word that God is Yahweh – LORD. To devout Jews striving to obey God’s commands, Yahweh is a holy, barely spoken word. Cautiously and fearfully, they used only the four vowels YHwH to write or speak his name. John 5, then, is Jesus’ mini-sermon of actions and words to define his character. He heals a man and admonishes the man to “stop sinning”. Then he defends his sovereign authority to do these things. “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does…21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.” How dare this man equate himself with YHWH! But then Jesus teaches another unthinkable lesson. “Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.” Imagine you are a Jewish priest, Pharisee or teacher who barely speaks the name of God. Then this rabbi from Nazareth steps into Jerusalem to essentially say, “YHWH is my Father. I do only as he says. And know this. I am the Judge. If you do not honor me, you dishonor YHWH.” It is little wonder the Jews tried to kill Jesus. He seemed to disdain YHWH’s holy character with every word. But we and the Jews then can know he spoke the truth because he fulfilled YHWH’s promises. Moses prophesied such a one to come in Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. He also fulfilled the angel’s proclamation: Luke 2:11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. God promised he would come. Christ – Messiah – the Lord – YHWH – had come. Jesus is God come to earth to save many people from sin’s death into heaven’s eternal life. Are you listening to Jesus? One day he will judge your life. He has spoken the truth to prepare you for that day. Hear the truth and be ready. Prayer: Help me, Jesus, to listen to your truth. Amen. Comments are closed.
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AuthorBob James Archives
January 2025
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