Can I Get A Witness?
Equal With God
Jesus angered some religious leaders when he instructed a paralyzed man to carry his mat on the Sabbath day, which was prohibited by Jewish religious law. This was made worse in verse 17 when he declared himself equal to God and suggested that the Sabbath rules had no power over him, just as they had none over God. The Jews understood Jesus' claim and didn't miss the point. He was asserting equality with God.
The Jews and Jesus have different beliefs about what is right and proper. The Jews do not view Jesus as equal to God and therefore disapprove of him performing healings on the Sabbath. They believe Jesus's actions are sinful, and his justification is blasphemous. These beliefs shape their response to Jesus.
In verses 19-30, Jesus stands firm and does not retreat on his assertion of being allowed to act on the Sabbath because of the Father's actions. However, the Jews refuse to accept that Jesus has the right to do so, as they do not acknowledge his equality with God. They are unsatisfied with his explanation of himself.
The Jews and Jesus have different beliefs about what is right and proper. The Jews do not view Jesus as equal to God and therefore disapprove of him performing healings on the Sabbath. They believe Jesus's actions are sinful, and his justification is blasphemous. These beliefs shape their response to Jesus.
In verses 19-30, Jesus stands firm and does not retreat on his assertion of being allowed to act on the Sabbath because of the Father's actions. However, the Jews refuse to accept that Jesus has the right to do so, as they do not acknowledge his equality with God. They are unsatisfied with his explanation of himself.
How Will You Believe My Words?
God's uniqueness is demonstrated through the ability to give life and judge. In verses 21-22, Jesus reveals that these qualities also identify him as divine. He provides three pieces of evidence to support his assertion of equality with God, possibly because Jewish law requires two or three witnesses to establish a claim in Deuteronomy 19:15.
The message discusses how Jesus referred to someone else who testified about him and claimed that the Father testified about him. The discussion begins with the testimony of John the Baptist, who was sent to bear witness by God. Jesus says he doesn't need John the Baptist's testimony about him because he is the Word-made-flesh. Jesus is trying to convince those who doubt his claims by referring to the Baptist's testimony.
Jesus clarifies in verse 36 that his power to heal the man who was lame serves as evidence to validate his authority and actions. The Jews searched the Scriptures to find God's testimony about the savior who would bring salvation to the world. However, they cannot recognize that the Scriptures bear witness to Jesus and that only through faith in Him can they find the life they seek. Those who oppose Jesus refuse to believe him, which means they cannot hear the voice of God because when Jesus speaks, it is God speaking. They do not have the Word of God, written in the Scriptures, or the living Word, Christ, within them.
The message discusses how Jesus referred to someone else who testified about him and claimed that the Father testified about him. The discussion begins with the testimony of John the Baptist, who was sent to bear witness by God. Jesus says he doesn't need John the Baptist's testimony about him because he is the Word-made-flesh. Jesus is trying to convince those who doubt his claims by referring to the Baptist's testimony.
Jesus clarifies in verse 36 that his power to heal the man who was lame serves as evidence to validate his authority and actions. The Jews searched the Scriptures to find God's testimony about the savior who would bring salvation to the world. However, they cannot recognize that the Scriptures bear witness to Jesus and that only through faith in Him can they find the life they seek. Those who oppose Jesus refuse to believe him, which means they cannot hear the voice of God because when Jesus speaks, it is God speaking. They do not have the Word of God, written in the Scriptures, or the living Word, Christ, within them.
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