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John 5 - Equality With God
John 5 - Equality With God
Having healed the lame man, he “went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. (John 5:15). John 5:16-18 16 For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath.
17 But He answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working."
18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
Rather than denying such, Jesus AFFIRMED it saying that whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner! What did Jesus do that showed His equality with the Father (i.e., substantiated His deity)?
· Raise the dead – 21, 28-29
· Is the Judge of all men – 22
· Is to be honored even as the Father – 23
· Gives eternal life to believers – 24
· Has life within Himself – 26
· Execute Judgment upon all men – 27
Jesus then gives 5 witnesses that substantiate these claims:
· Himself – 31
· John the Baptist – 32-35
· His Works (miracles/signs) 36
· The Father – 37-38
· The Scriptures – 39
In spite of their seeing such signs and having heard such testimony of these witnesses, they were blinded by their prejudging. It was not for lack of evidence or testimony, it was their jealousy and hatred of Him that was the cause of their unbelief.
We have in the writings of John, the same signs and testimony as they had. In another sense, we have MORE for we have ALL of it that can be read at one time! Yet, many, having read such, still are blinded to the truth about Jesus. He IS the Son of God. He IS equal with God for He IS GOD. The real question is what do YOU conclude about who Jesus is? Think carefully!
Hugh DeLong
