Jesus Claims to be the Son of God- John 5:16-30

Today, Jesus tells the Jewish leaders that he is the Son of God.

Just as we suspected, the Jews were outraged by the healing of the man at the pool. Jesus had healed him on the Sabbath and that broke their laws. The Jews of that time didn’t refer to God as “Father;” the term was too intimate. When Jesus referred to God that way, he was saying that God was his father. This angered the Jews.

Jesus also said that the work of his Father didn’t stop on the Sabbath. He meant that God’s deeds of compassion didn’t stop because of the Sabbath or any other day. Deeds of compassion should be done on the Sabbath like all days and Jesus was doing them just like God does them.

The Jews did not object to the idea that God is the Father of all, but they had huge issues with the concept that Jesus had a special relationship with God, making him an equal.

Jesus goes on to say that he can only do the things he does because of his dependence on the Father. Jesus tells his persecutors that God has revealed His plans and purposes to him and Jesus is obediently carrying them out.

He then continues to blow their minds and stir their anger by saying that he has the ability to judge the dead and raise the dead. The Jews believed that God was the only one with the ability to judge and raise the dead, period. This was a very firm and important belief to them. This teaching sounded like blasphemy to them, hands down. They believed that his claims were impossible, wrong and perhaps even evil and he had to be stopped.

Jesus also tells them that he can also give the spiritually dead life, now.

He ends the conversation by discussing judgement. Although salvation comes from God, in response to faith, judgement is on the basis of works. There’s a fine distinction here. He’s not talking about the concept of eternal life, but judgement on those who have done “good” and those who have done “evil.”

Jesus stresses again his dependence on the Father. He judges as he hears from the Father. He says, “By myself I can do nothing.” This makes his judgement fair.

Jesus was talking about some radical concepts. In the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, the religious leaders saw him as a prophet, then they saw him as a nuisance. After this conversation, they saw him as an enemy to their faith. They really began looking for a way to kill him and shut him up for good.

The Jewish leaders were looking for a different kind of Messiah, not Jesus. They looked for something different and wanted something different, so they missed the gift right in front of them. How often do we make the same mistake? We are searching for, or waiting for something different, something we think we need, and we miss beautiful gifts and opportunities that are put right in front of us. Food for thought.

What do you think about today’s reading?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂