Witnesses of Jesus Christ and the Religious Reaction
Note: Jesus healed on the Sabbath and violated the traditions of men.
Jesus said to
him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was
made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.
The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is
not lawful for you to carry your bed.” He answered them, “He who made
me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’” Then they asked him,
“Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” But the
one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a
multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple,
and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a
worse thing come upon you.” John 5:9-14
Note: Religious people will resort to murder to maintain sacred days.
The man
departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. For
this reason, the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because
He had done these things on the Sabbath. John 5:15-16
Note: Religious people do not regard Jesus Christ as the only God.
But Jesus
answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been
working.” Therefore, the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because
He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father,
making Himself equal with God. John 5:17-18
Note: The Father and Son work together as God.
Then Jesus
answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can
do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He
does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son
and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him
greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises
the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He
will.” John 5:19-21
Note: Honoring the Father is honoring the Son as God.
“For the
Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that
all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not
honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” John 5:22-23
Note: Eternal life is through Jesus Christ.
“Most
assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who
sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has
passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is
coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of
God; and those who hear will live.” John 5:24-25
Note: Jesus Christ as God will be the judge of everyone.
“For as the
Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in
Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because
He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in
which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come
forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those
who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of
Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous,
because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent
Me.” John 5:26-30
Note: John the Baptist was a Jesus witness.
“If I bear
witness of Myself, My witness is not true. There is another who bears
witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is
true. You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Yet
I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you
may be saved. He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing
for a time to rejoice in his light.” John 5:31-35
Note: God the Father is a Jesus witness.
“But I have a
greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given
Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the
Father has sent Me. And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified
of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His
form.” John 5:36-37
Note: Scriptures are a Jesus witness.
“But you do
not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not
believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have
eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not
willing to come to Me that you may have life.” John 5:38-40
Note: Religious people will seek honor from each other.
“I do not
receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love
of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive
Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you
believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor
that comes from the only God?” John 5:41-44
Note: Moses was a Jesus witness.
“Do not think
that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses
you—Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would
believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his
writings, how will you believe My words?” John 5:45-47