WilliamBarclay'sDailyStudy

Bible
John5
Verses147
Chapter5
MAN'SHELPLESSNESSANDCHRIST'SPOWER(John5:19)
5:19AfterthistherewasaFeastoftheJews,andJesuswent
uptoJerusalem.InJerusalem,nearthesheepgate,thereisa
bathingpoolwithfiveporches,whichwascalledinHebrew,
Bethzatha.Intheseporchestherelayacrowdofpeoplewho
wereillandblindandlameandwhoselimbswerewithered
[waitingexpectantlyforthemovingofthewater.Foranangelof
theLordcamedownintothepooleverynowandthenand
disturbedthewatersothefirstpersontogoinafterthe
disturbingofthewaterregainedhishealthfromanyillness
whichhadhiminitsgrip].Therewasamantherewhohadbeen
illforthirtyeightyears.WhenJesussawhimlyingthere,and
sinceheknewthathehadalreadybeenthereforalongtime,he
saidtohim:"Doyouwanttobemadewell?"Thesickman
answered:"Sir,Ihavenoonetohurrymeintothepoolwhenthe
waterisdisturbedso,whileIamontheway,someonegets
downbeforeme."Jesussaidtohim:"Getup!Liftyourbed!and
walk!"Andthemanwasmadewell,andhelifteduphisbedand
walked.
TherewerethreeJewishfeastswhichwerefeastsofobligationPassover,Pentecost
andTabernacles.EveryadultmaleJewwholivedwithinfifteenmilesofJerusalem
waslegallyboundtoattendthem.IfwetakeJohn6:171beforeJohn5:147wemay
thinkofthisfeastasPentecost,becausetheeventsofJohn6:171happenedwhen
thePassoverwasnear(John6:4).ThePassoverwasinmidApril,andPentecost
wassevenweekslater.JohnalwaysshowsusJesusattendingthegreatfeasts,for
JesusdidnotdisregardtheobligationsofJewishworship.Tohimitwasnotaduty
butadelighttoworshipwithhisownpeople.
WhenJesusarrivedinJerusalemhewasapparentlyalonethereisnomentionofhis
disciples.Hefoundhiswaytoafamouspool.ItsnamewaseitherBethesda,which
meansHouseofMercy,ormorelikely,BethzathawhichmeansHouseoftheOlive.
Thebettermanuscriptsallhavethesecondname,andweknowfromJosephusthat
therewasaquarterofJerusalemactuallyknownasBethzatha.Thewordforpool
kolumbethron(Greek#2861),whichcomesfromtheverbkolumban(Greek#2860),
todive.Thepoolwasdeepenoughtoswimin.Thepassagewehaveputinbrackets
isnotinanyofthegreatestandbestmanuscriptsandwasprobablyaddedlateras
anexplanationofwhatpeopleweredoingatthepool.Beneaththepoolwasa
subterraneanstreamwhicheverynowandagainbubbledupanddisturbedthe
waters.Thebeliefwasthatthedisturbancewascausedbyanangel,andthatthe
firstpersontogetintothepoolafterthetroublingofthewaterwouldbehealedfrom
anyillnessfromwhichhewassuffering.
Tousthisismeresuperstition.Butitwasthekindofbeliefwhichwasspreadall
overtheworldinancientdaysandwhichstillexistsincertainplaces.People
believedinallkindsofspiritsanddemons.Theairwasthickwiththemtheyhad

theirabodesincertainplaceseverytree,everyriver,everystream,everyhill,every
poolhaditsresidentspirit.
Further,ancientpeopleswerespeciallyimpressedwiththeholinessofwaterand
especiallyofriversandsprings.Waterwassopreciousandriversinspatecouldbe
sopowerfulthatitisnotsurprisingthattheyweresoimpressed.Inthewestwemay
knowwateronlyassomethingwhichcomesoutofatapbutintheancientworld,as
inmanyplacesstilltoday,waterwasthemostvaluableandpotentiallythemost
dangerousofallthings.
SirJ.G.FrazerinFolkloreintheOldTestament(ii,412423)quotesmany
instancesofthisreverenceforwater.Hesiod,theGreekpoet,saidthatwhenaman
wasabouttofordariver,heshouldprayandwashhishands,forhewhowades
throughastreamwithunwashedhandsincursthewrathofthegods.Whenthe
PersiankingXerxescametotheStrymoninThracehismagiciansofferedwhite
horsesandwentthroughotherceremoniesbeforethearmyventuredtocross.
Lucullus,theRomangeneral,offeredabulltotheRiverEuphratesbeforehecrossed
it.TothisdayinsoutheastAfricasomeoftheBantutribesbelievethatriversare
inhabitedbymalignantspiritswhichmustbepropitiatedbyflingingahandfulofcorn
orsomeotherofferingintotheriverbeforeitiscrossed.Whenanyoneisdrownedin
ariverheissaidtobe"calledbythespirits."TheBagandainCentralAfricawould
nottrytorescueamancarriedawaybyariverbecausetheythoughtthatthespirits
hadtakenhim.ThepeoplewhowaitedforthepoolinJerusalemtobedisturbedwere
childrenoftheiragebelievingthethingsoftheirage.
ItmaybethatasJesuswalkedaround,themanofthisstorywaspointedouttohim
asamostpitiablecase,becausehisdisabilitymadeitveryunlikely,even
impossible,thathewouldeverbethefirsttogetintothepoolafterithadbeen
troubled.Hehadnoonetohelphimin,andJesuswasalwaysthefriendofthe
friendless,andthehelperofthemanwhohasnoearthlyhelp.Hedidnottroubleto
readthemanalectureontheuselesssuperstitionofwaitingforthewatertobe
moved.Hisonedesirewastohelpandsohehealedthemanwhohadwaitedso
long.
InthisstoryweseeveryclearlytheconditionsunderwhichthepowerofJesus
operated.Hegavehisorderstomenand,inproportionastheytriedtoobey,power
cametothem.
(i)Jesusbeganbyaskingthemanifhewantedtobecured.Itwasnotsofoolisha
questionasitmaysound.Themanhadwaitedforthirtyeightyearsanditmightwell
havebeenthathopehaddiedandleftbehindapassiveanddulldespair.Inhisheart
ofheartsthemanmightbewellcontenttoremainaninvalidfor,ifhewascured,he
wouldhavetoshoulderalltheburdenofmakingaliving.Thereareinvalidsforwhom
invalidismisnotunpleasant,becausesomeoneelsedoesalltheworkingandallthe
worrying.Butthisman'sresponsewasimmediate.Hewantedtobehealed,though
hedidnotseehowheevercouldbesincehehadnoonetohelphim.
ThefirstessentialtowardsreceivingthepowerofJesusistohaveintensedesirefor
it.Jesussays:"Doyoureallywanttobechanged?"Ifinourinmostheartsweare
wellcontenttostayasweare,therecanbenochangeforus.
(ii)Jesuswentontotellthemantogetup.Itisasifhesaidtohim:"Man,bendyour
willtoitandyouandIwilldothisthingtogether!"ThepowerofGodneverdispenses
withtheeffortofman.Nothingistruerthanthatwemustrealizeourown
helplessnessbutinaveryrealsenseitistruethatmiracleshappenwhenourwill
andGod'spowercooperatetomakethempossible.
(iii)IneffectJesuswascommandingthemantoattempttheimpossible."Getup!"
hesaid.HisbedwouldsimplybealightstretcherlikeframetheGreekiskrabbatos
(Greek#2895),acolloquialwordwhichreallymeansapalletandJesustoldhimto
pickitupandcarryitaway.Themanmightwellhavesaidwithakindofinjured
resentmentthatforthirtyeightyearshisbedhadbeencarryinghimandtherewas
notmuchsenseintellinghimtocarryit.ButhemadetheeffortalongwithChrist
andthethingwasdone.
(iv)Hereistheroadtoachievement.Therearesomanythingsinthisworldwhich

defeatus.Whenwehaveintensityofdesireanddeterminationtomaketheeffort,
hopelessthoughitmayseem,thepowerofChristgetsitsopportunity,andwithhim
wecanconquerwhatforlonghasconqueredus.
THEINNERMEANING(John5:19continued)
Certainscholarsthinkthispassageisanallegory.
ThemanstandsforthepeopleofIsrael.Thefiveporchesstandforthefivebooksof
thelaw.Intheporchesthepeoplelayill.Thelawcouldshowamanhissin,but
couldnevermenditthelawcoulduncoveraman'sweakness,butcouldnevercure
it.Thelaw,liketheporches,shelteredthesicksoulbutcouldneverhealit.The
thirtyeightyearsstandforthethirtyeightyearsinwhichtheJewswanderedinthe
desertbeforetheyenteredthepromisedlandorforthenumberofthecenturiesmen
hadbeenwaitingfortheMessiah.Thestirringofthewatersstandsforbaptism.In
pointoffactinearlyChristianartamanisoftendepictedasrisingfromthe
baptismalwaterscarryingabeduponhisback.
Itmaywellbethatitisnowpossibletoreadallthesemeaningsintothisstorybutit
ishighlyunlikelythatJohnwroteitasanallegory.Ithasthevividstampoffactual
truth.ButwedowelltorememberthatanyBiblestoryhasinitfarmorethanfact.
Therearealwaysdeepertruthsbelowthesurfaceandeventhesimplestoriesare
meanttoleaveusfacetofacewitheternalthings.
HEALINGANDHATRED(John5:1018)
5:1018ItwasSabbathonthatday.SotheJewssaidtothe
manwhohadbeencured:"ItisSabbathandyouhavenoright
toliftyourbed."Heansweredthem:"Hewhomademewell,it
washewhosaidtome:'Liftyourbedandwalk'!"Theyasked
him:"Whoisthefellowwhosaidtoyou:'Liftyourbedand
walk'?"Themanwhohadbeencureddidnotknowwhohewas,
forJesushadslippedaway,fortherewasacrowdintheplace.
AfterwardsJesusfoundhimintheTempleandsaidtohim:
"Looknow!Youhavebeenmadewell.Sinnomoreincase
somethingworsehappenstoyou!"Themanwentawayandtold
theJewsthatitwasJesuswhohadmadehimwell.Becauseof
thistheJewswereouttopersecuteJesus,becausehehad
donethesethingsontheSabbath.ButJesusansweredthem:
"MyFathercontinueshisworkuntilnow,andsodoIcontinue
mine."BecauseofthistheJewstriedallthehardertofinda
waytokillhim,becausenotonlywashehabituallybreakingthe
Sabbath,buthealsokeptonsayingthatGodwashisown
Father,therebymakinghimselfequalwithGod.
Amanhadbeenhealedfromadiseasewhich,humanlyspeaking,wasincurable.We
mightexpectthistobeanoccasionofuniversaljoyandthanksgivingbutsomemet
thewholebusinesswithbleakandblacklooks.Themanwhohadbeenhealedwas
walkingthroughthestreetscarryinghisbedtheorthodoxJewsstoppedhimand
remindedhimthathewasbreakingthelawbycarryingaburdenontheSabbathday.
WehavealreadyseenwhattheJewsdidwiththelawofGod.Itwasaseriesofgreat
wideprincipleswhichmenwerelefttoapplyandcarryoutbutthroughouttheyears
theJewshadmadeitintothousandsoflittlerulesandregulations.Thelawsimply
saidthattheSabbathdaymustbedifferentfromotherdaysandthatonitneithera
mannorhisservantsnorhisanimalsmustworktheJewssetoutthirtynine
differentclassificationsofwork,oneofwhichwasthatitconsistedincarryinga
burden.
Theyfoundedparticularlyontwopassages.Jeremiahhadsaid:"ThussaiththeLord:
takeheedforthesakeofyourlives,anddonotbearaburdenontheSabbathdayor
bringitinbythegatesofJerusalem.Anddonotcarryaburdenoutofyourhouses
ontheSabbathordoanywork,butkeeptheSabbathdayholy,asIcommanded
yourfathers"(Jeremiah17:1927).Nehemiahhadbeenworriedattheworkandthe
tradingthatwentonontheSabbathdayandhadstationedservantsatthegatesof
JerusalemtoseethatnoburdenswerecarriedinoroutontheSabbath(Nehemiah

13:1519).
Nehemiah13:15makesitperfectlyclearthatwhatwasinquestionwastradingon
theSabbathasifithadbeenanordinaryday.ButtheRabbisofJesus'daysolemnly
arguedthatamanwassinningifhecarriedaneedleinhisrobeontheSabbath.
Theyevenarguedastowhetherhecouldwearhisartificialteethorhiswoodenleg.
TheywerequiteclearthatanykindofbroachcouldnotbewornontheSabbath.To
themallthispettydetailwasamatteroflifeanddeathandcertainlythismanwas
breakingtherabbiniclawbycarryinghisbedontheSabbathday.
Hisdefencewasthatthemanwhohadhealedhimhadtoldhimtodoit,buthedid
notknowhisidentity.LaterJesusmethimintheTempleatoncethemanhastened
totelltheauthoritiesthatJesuswastheoneinquestion.Hewasnotseekingtoget
Jesusintotrouble,buttheactualwordsofthelawwere:"Ifanyonecarriesanything
fromapublicplacetoaprivatehouseontheSabbathintentionallyheispunishable
bydeathbystoning."Hewassimplytryingtoexplainthatitwasnothisfaultthathe
hadbrokenthelaw.
SotheauthoritieslevelledtheiraccusationsagainstJesus.TheverbsinJohn5:18
areimperfecttense,whichdescribesrepeatedactioninpasttime.Clearlythisstory
isonlyasampleofwhatJesushabituallydid.
Hisdefencewasshattering.GoddidnotstopworkingontheSabbathdayand
neitherdidhe.AnyscholarlyJewwouldgraspitsfullforce.Philohadsaid:"God
neverceasesdoing,butasitisthepropertyoffiretoburnandsnowtochill,soitis
thepropertyofGodtodo."Anotherwritersaid:"Thesunshinestheriversflowthe
processesofbirthanddeathgoonontheSabbathasonanyotherdayandthatis
theworkofGod."True,accordingtothecreationstory,Godrestedontheseventh
daybutherestedfromcreationhishigherworksofjudgmentandmercyand
compassionandlovestillwenton.
Jesussaid:"EvenontheSabbathGod'sloveandmercyandcompassionactand
sodomine."ItwasthislastpassagewhichshatteredtheJews,foritmeantnothing
lessthanthattheworkofJesusandtheworkofGodwerethesame.Itseemedthat
JesuswasputtinghimselfonanequalitywithGod.WhatJesusreallywassayingwe
shallseeinournextsectionbutatthemomentwemustnotethisJesusteaches
thathumanneedmustalwaysbehelpedthatthereisnogreatertaskthantorelieve
someone'spainanddistressandthattheChristian'scompassionmustbelikeGod's
unceasing.Otherworkmaybelaidasidebuttheworkofcompassionnever.
AnotherJewishbeliefentersintothispassage.WhenJesusmetthemaninthe
Templehetoldhimtosinnomoreincasesomethingworsemighthappentohim.To
theJewsinandsufferingwereinextricablyconnected.Ifamansuffered,necessarily
hehadsinnednorcouldheeverbecureduntilhissinwasforgiven.TheRabbis
said:"Thesickarisesnotfromsickness,untilhissinsbeforgiven."Themanmight
arguethathehadsinnedandbeenforgivenandhad,sotospeak,gotawaywithit
andhemightgoontoarguethat,sincehehadfoundsomeonewhocouldrelease
himfromtheconsequencesofsin,hecouldverywellgoonsinningandescaping.
Therewerethoseinthechurchwhousedtheirlibertyasanexcusefortheflesh
(Galatians5:13).Therewerethosewhosinnedintheconfidencethatgracewould
abound(Romans6:118).Therehavealwaysbeenthosewhohaveusedtheloveand
theforgivenessandthegraceofGodasanexcusetosin.Butwehaveonlytothink
whatGod'sforgivenesscost,wehaveonlytolookattheCrossofCalvary,toknow
thatwemusteverhatesinbecauseeverysinbreaksagaintheheartofGod.
THETREMENDOUSCLAIMS(John5:1929)
5:1929ThisisthetruthItellyoutheSoncannotdoanything
whichproceedsfromhimself.Hecanonlydowhatheseesthe
Fatherdoing.InwhateverwaytheFatheracts,theSonlikewise
actsinthesamewayfortheFatherlovesthesonandhas
shownhimeverythingthathedoes.Andhewillshowhim
greaterworksthanthese,sothatyouwillbemovedto
wonderingamazement.For,astheFatherraisesthedeadand
makesthemalive,soalsotheSonmakesalivethosewhomhe
wishes.NeitherdoestheFatherjudgeanyone,buthehasgiven

thewholeprocessofjudgingtotheSon,thatallmayhonourthe
Son,astheyhonourtheFather.Hewhodoesnothonourthe
SondoesnothonourtheFatherwhosenthim.
ThisisthetruthItellyouhewholistenstomywordand
believesonhimwhosentmehaseternallife,andisnotonthe
waytojudgment,buthehascrossedfromdeathtolife.
ThisisthetruthItellyouthehouriscomingandnowiswhen
thedeadwillhearthevoiceoftheSonofGod,and,whenthey
haveheard,theywilllive.For,astheFatherhaslifeinhimself,
sohehasgiventotheSontohavelifeinhimselfandhehas
givenhimauthoritytoexercisetheprocessofjudgment,
becauseheistheSonofMan.Donotbeastonishedatthis,for
thehouriscomingwheneveryoneinthetombswillhearhis
voice,andwillcomeforththosewhohavedonegoodwillcome
outtoaresurrectionwhichwillgivethemlife,butthosewhose
actionswerebasewillcomeouttoaresurrectionwhichwill
issueinjudgment.
HerewecometothefirstofthelongdiscoursesoftheFourthGospel.Whenweread
passageslikethiswemustrememberthatJohnisnotseekingsomuchtogiveus
thewordsthatJesusspokeasthethingswhichJesusmeant.Hewaswriting
somewhereroundaboutA.D.100.ForseventyyearshehadthoughtaboutJesus
andthewonderfulthingswhichJesushadsaid.Manyofthesethingshehadnotfully
understoodwhenhehadheardthem.Butmorethanhalfacenturyofthinkingunder
theguidanceoftheHolySpirithadshownhimdeeperanddeepermeaninginthe
wordsofJesus.AndsohesetsdownforusnotonlywhatJesussaid,butalsowhat
Jesusmeant.
Thispassageissoimportantthatwemustfirststudyitasawholeandthentakeit
inshortersections.
First,thenletuslookatitasawhole.Wemusttrytothinknotonlyhowitsoundsto
us,butalsohowitsoundedtotheJewswhohearditforthefirsttime.Theyhada
backgroundofthoughtsandideas,oftheologyandbelief,ofliteratureandreligion
whichisveryfarfromourbackgroundand,tounderstandapassagelikethis,we
musttrytothinkourselvesintothemindofaJewwholistenedtoitforthefirsttime.
Thisisanamazingpassage,becauseitiswoventogetherofthoughtsand
expressionswhichareallclaimsbyJesustobethepromisedMessiah.Manyof
theseclaimswedonotnowreadilysee,buttheywouldbecrystalcleartotheJews
andwouldleavethemaghast.
(i)TheclearestclaimisthestatementthatJesusistheSonofMan.Weknowhow
commonthatstrangetitleisinthegospels.Ithasalonghistory.Itwasbornin
Daniel7:114.TheKingJamesVersionmistranslatestheSonofManforasonof
man(Daniel7:13).
Thepointofthepassageisthis.Danielwaswrittenindaysofterrorandof
persecution,anditisavisionoftheglorywhichwillsomedayreplacethesuffering
whichthepeopleareundergoing.InDaniel7:17theseerdescribesthegreat
heathenempireswhichhaveheldswayunderthesymbolismofbeasts.Thereisthe
lionwitheagle'swings(Daniel7:4),whichstandsfortheBabylonianEmpirethebear
withthethreeribsinhismouth,asonedevouringthecarcase(Daniel7:5),which
standsfortheMedianEmpiretheleopardwithfourwingsandfourheads(Daniel
7:6),whichstandsforthePersianEmpirethebeast,greatandterrible,withiron
teethandwithtenhorns(Daniel7:7),whichstandsfortheMacedonianEmpire.All
theseterriblepowerswillpassawayandthepowerandthedominionwillbegivento
onelikeasonofman.ThemeaningisthattheEmpireswhichhaveheldswayhave
beensosavagethattheycouldbedescribedonlyintermsofwildbeastsbutinto
theworldthereisgoingtocomeapowersogentleandkindthatitwillbehumanand
notbestial.InDanielthephrasedescribesthekindofpowerwhichisgoingtorule
theworld.
SomeonehastointroduceandexercisethatpowerandtheJewstookthistitleand

gaveittothechosenoneofGodwhosomedaywouldbringinthenewageof
gentlenessandloveandpeaceandsotheycametocalltheMessiahSonofMan.
BetweentheOldandtheNewTestamentstherearoseawholeliteraturewhichdealt
withthegoldenagewhichwastocome.
OnebookwhichwasspeciallyinfluentialwastheBookofEnochandinitthere
appearsagainandagainagreatfigurecalledThatSonofMan,whoiswaitingin
heavenuntilGodsendshimtoearthtobringinhiskingdomandruleoverit.Sowhen
JesuscalledhimselftheSonofMan,hewasdoingnothinglessthancallhimselfthe
Messiah.Herewasaclaimsoclearthatitcouldnotbemisunderstood.
(ii)ButnotonlyisthisclaimtobeGod'sMessiahmadeinsomanywordsinphrase
afterphraseitisimplicit.Theverymiraclewhichhadhappenedtotheparalysedman
wasasignthatJesuswasMessiah.ItwasIsaiah'spictureofthenewageofGod
that"thenshallthelamemanleaplikeahart"(Isaiah35:6).ItwasJeremiah'svision
thattheblindandthelamewouldbegatheredin(Jeremiah31:89).
(iii)ThereisJesus'repeatedclaimtoraisethedeadandtobetheirjudgewhenthey
areraised.IntheOldTestamentGodalonecanraisethedeadandalonehasthe
righttojudge."I,evenI,amheandthereisnogodbesideme:IkillandImake
alive"(Deuteronomy32:39)."TheLordkillsandbringstolife"(1Samuel2:6).When
Naaman,theSyrian,cameseekingtobecuredfromleprosy,thekingofIsraelsaid
inbewildereddespair:"AmIGodtokillandtomakealive?"(2Kings5:6).The
functionofkillingandmakingalivebelongedinalienablytoGod.Itisthesamewith
judgment."ThejudgmentisGod's"(Deuteronomy1:17).
Inlaterthoughtthisfunctionofresurrectingthedeadandthenactingasjudge
becamepartofthedutyofGod'schosenonewhenhebroughtinthenewageof
God.EnochsaysoftheSonofMan:"Thesumofjudgmentwascommittedtohim"
(Enoch69:2627).Jesusinourpassagespeaksofthosewhohavedonegoodbeing
resurrectedtolifeandofthosewhohavedoneevilbeingresurrectedtodeath.The
ApocalypseofBaruchlaysitdownthatwhenGod'sagecomes:"Theaspectof
thosewhonowactwickedlyshallbecomeworsethanitis,astheyshallsuffer
torment,"whereasthosewhohavetrustedinthelawandacteduponitshallbe
clothedinbeautyandinsplendour(Baruch51:14).Enochhasitthatinthatday:
"Theearthshallbewhollyrentasunder,andallthatisonearthshallperish,and
thereshallbejudgmentonallmen"(Enoch1:57).TheTestamentofBenjaminhas
it:"Allmenshallrise,sometotheexalted,andsometobehumbledandputto
shame."
ForJesustospeaklikethiswasanactofthemostextraordinaryandunique
courage.Hemusthaveknownwellthattomakeclaimslikethiswouldsoundthe
sheerestblasphemytotheorthodoxJewishleadersandwastocourtdeath.Theman
wholistenedtowordslikethishadonlytwoalternativeshemusteitheraccept
JesusastheSonofGodorhatehimasablasphemer.
Wenowgoontotakethispassagesectionbysection.
TheFatherAndTheSon(John5:1920)
5:1920ThisisthetruthItellyoutheSoncannotdoanything
whichproceedsfromhimself.Hecanonlydowhatheseesthe
Fatherdoing.InwhateverwaytheFatheracts,theSonlikewise
actsinthesamewayfortheFatherlovestheSon,andhas
shownhimeverythingthathedoes.Andhewillshowhim
greaterworksthanthese,sothatyouwillbemovedto
wonderingamazement.
ThisisthebeginningofJesus'answertotheJews'chargethathewasmaking
himselfequaltoGod.HelaysdownthreethingsabouthisrelationshipwithGod.
(i)HelaysdownhisidentitywithGod.ThesalienttruthaboutJesusisthatinhimwe
seeGod.IfwewishtoseehowGodfeelstomen,ifwewishtoseehowGodreacts
tosin,ifwewishtoseehowGodregardsthehumansituation,wemustlookat
Jesus.ThemindofJesusisthemindofGodthewordsofJesusarethewordsof
GodtheactionsofJesusaretheactionsofGod.

(ii)Thisidentityisnotsomuchbasedonequalityasoncompleteobedience.Jesus
neverdidwhathewantedtodobutalwayswhatGodwantedhimtodo.Itisbecause
hiswillwascompletelysubmittedtoGod'swillthatweseeGodinhim.Jesusisto
GodaswemustbetoJesus.
(iii)Thisobedienceisnotbasedonsubmissiontopoweritisbasedonlove.The
unitybetweenJesusandGodisaunityoflove.Wespeakoftwomindshavingonly
asinglethoughtandtwoheartsbeatingasone.Inhumantermsthatisaperfect
descriptionoftherelationshipbetweenJesusandGod.Thereissuchcomplete
identityofmindandwillandheartthatFatherandSonareone.
ButthispassagehassomethingstillmoretotellusaboutJesus.
(i)Ittellsusofhiscompleteconfidence.Heisquitesurethatwhatmenwereseeing
thenwasonlyabeginning.OnpurelyhumangroundstheonethingJesusmight
reasonablyexpectwasdeath.TheforcesofJewishorthodoxyweregatheringagainst
himandtheendwasalreadysure.ButJesuswasquitecertainthatthefuturewasin
thehandsofGodandthatmencouldnotstopwhatGodhadsenthimtodo.
(ii)Ittellsofhiscompletefearlessness.Thathewouldbemisunderstoodwas
certain.Thathiswordswouldinflamethemindsofhishearersandendangerhisown
lifewasbeyondargument.TherewasnohumansituationinwhichJesuswouldlower
hisclaimsoradulteratethetruth.Hewouldmakehisclaimandspeakhistruthno
matterwhatmenmightthreatentodo.Tohimitwasmuchmoreimportanttobetrue
toGodthantofearmen.
Life,JudgmentAndHonour(John5:2123)
5:2123ForastheFatherraisesthedeadandmakesthem
alive,sotheSonalsomakesalivethosewhomhewishes.
NeitherdoestheFatherjudgeanyone,buthehasgiventhe
wholeprocessofjudgingtotheSon,thatallmayhonourthe
Son,astheyhonourtheFather.Hewhodoesnothonourthe
SondoesnothonourtheFatherwhosenthim.
HereweseethreegreatfunctionswhichbelongtoJesusChristastheSonofGod.
(i)Heisthegiveroflife.Johnmeantthisinadoublesense.Hemeantitintime.No
manisfullyaliveuntilJesusChristentersintohimandheentersintoJesusChrist.
Whenwemakethediscoveryoftherealmofmusicorofliteratureorofartorof
travel,wesometimesspeakofanewworldopeningouttous.Thatmanintowhose
lifeJesusChristhasenteredfindslifemadenew.Hehimselfischangedhis
personalrelationshipsarechangedhisconceptionofworkanddutyandpleasureis
changedhisrelationshiptoGodischanged.Hemeantitineternity.Afterthislifeis
ended,forthemanwhohasacceptedJesusChristthereopenslifestillmorefunand
stillmorewonderfulwhileforthemanwhohasrefusedJesusChrist,therecomes
thatdeathwhichisseparationfromGod.JesusChristgiveslifebothinthisworld
andtheworldtocome.
(ii)Heisthebringerofjudgment.JohnsaysthatGodcommittedthewholeprocess
ofjudgmenttoJesusChrist.Whathemeansisthisaman'sjudgmentdependson
hisreactiontoJesus.IfhefindsinJesustheonepersontobelovedandfollowed,
heisonthewaytolife.IfheseesinJesusanenemy,hehascondemnedhimself.
Jesusisthetouchstonebywhichallmenaretestedreactiontohimisthetestby
whichallmenaredivided.
(iii)Heisthereceiverofhonour.ThemostupliftingthingabouttheNewTestamentis
itsunquenchablehopeanditsunconquerablecertainty.Ittellsthestoryofacrucified
Christandyetneverhasanydoubtthatattheendallmenwillbedrawntothat
crucifiedfigureandthatallmenwillknowhimandacknowledgehimandlovehim.
Amidpersecutionanddisregard,inspiteofsmallnessofnumbersandpovertyof
influence,inthefaceoffailureanddisloyalty,theNewTestamentandtheearly
churchneverdoubtedtheultimatetriumphofChrist.Whenwearetemptedtodespair
wewoulddowelltorememberthatthesalvationofmenisthepurposeofGodand
thatnothing,intheend,canfrustratehiswill.TheevilwillofmanmaydelayGod's
purposeitcannotdefeatit.

AcceptanceMeansLife(John5:24)
5:24ThisisthetruthItellyouhewholistenstomywordand
believesonhimwhosentmehaseternallife,andisnotonthe
waytojudgment,buthehascrossedfromdeathtolife.
Jesussaysquitesimplythattoaccepthimislifeandtorejecthimisdeath.What
doesitmeantolistentoJesus'wordandtobelieveintheFatherwhosenthim?To
putitatitsbriefestitmeansthreethings.(i)ItmeanstobelievethatGodisas
Jesussaysheisthatheisloveandsotoenterintoanewrelationshipwithhimin
whichfearisbanished.(ii)ItmeanstoacceptthewayoflifethatJesusoffersus,
howeverdifficultitmaybeandwhateversacrificesitmayinvolve,certainthatto
acceptitistheultimatewaytopeaceandtohappiness,andtorefuseittheultimate
waytodeathandjudgment.(iii)ItmeanstoacceptthehelpthattheRisenChrist
givesandtheguidancethattheHolySpiritoffers,andsotofindstrengthforallthat
thewayofChristinvolves.
Whenwedothatweenterintothreenewrelationships.(i)Weenterintoanew
relationshipwithGod.Thejudgebecomesthefatherthedistantbecomesthenear
strangenessbecomesintimacyandfearbecomeslove.(ii)Weenterintoanew
relationshipwithourfellowmen.Hatredbecomesloveselfishnessbecomesservice
andbitternessbecomesforgiveness.(iii)Weenterintoanewrelationshipwith
ourselves.Weaknessbecomesstrengthfrustrationbecomesachievementand
tensionbecomespeace.
ToaccepttheofferofJesusChrististofindlife.Everyoneinonesensemaybesaid
tobealivebuttherearefewwhocanbesaidtoknowlifeintherealsenseofthe
term.WhenGrenfellwaswritingtoanursingsisteraboutherdecisiontocomeoutto
Labradortohelpinhisworkthere,hetoldherthathecouldnotofferhermuch
money,butthatifshecameshewoulddiscoverthatinservingChristandthepeople
ofthecountryshewouldhavethetimeofherlife.Browningdescribesthemeetingof
twopeopleintowhoseheartslovehadentered.Shelookedathim,helookedather,
and"suddenlylifeawoke."Amodernnovelistmakesonecharactersaytoanother:"I
neverknewwhatlifewastillIsawitinyoureyes."
ThepersonwhoacceptsthewayofChristhaspassedfromdeathtolife.Inthis
worldlifebecomesnewandthrillingintheworldtocomeeternallifewithGod
becomesacertainty.
DeathAndLife(John5:2529)
5:2529ThisisthetruthItellyouthehouriscomingandnowis
whenthedeadwillhearthevoiceoftheSonofGod,and,when
theyhaveheard,theywilllive.For,astheFatherhaslifein
himself,sohehasgiventotheSontohavelifeinhimself.And
hehasgivenhimauthoritytoexercisetheprocessofjudgment,
becauseheistheSonofMan.Donotbeastonishedatthis,for
thehouriscomingwheneveryoneinthetombswighearhis
voiceandwillcomeforththosewhohavedonegoodwillcome
outtoaresurrectionwhichwildgivethemlife,butthosewhose
actionswerebasewillcomeouttoaresurrectionwhichwill
issueinjudgment.
HeretheMessianicclaimsofJesusstandoutmostclearly.HeistheSonofMan
heisthelifegiverandthelifebringerhewigraisethedeadtolifeand,whenthey
areraised,hewillbetheirjudge.
InthispassageJohnseemstousetheworddeadintwosenses.
(i)HeusesitofthosewhoarespirituallydeadtothemJesuswillbringnewlife.
Whatdoesitmean?
(a)Tobespirituallydeadistohavestoppedtrying.Itistohavecometolookonall
faultsasineradicableandallvirtuesasunattainable.ButtheChristianlifecannot
standstillitmusteithergoonorslipbackandtostoptryingisthereforetoslip
backtodeath.

(b)Tobespirituallydeadistohavestoppedfeeling.Therearemanypeoplewhoat
onetimefeltintenselyinfaceofthesinandthesorrowandthesufferingofthe
worldbutslowlytheyhavebecomeinsensitive.Theycanlookatevilandfeelno
indignationtheycanlookatsorrowandsufferingandfeelnoansweringswordof
griefandpitypiercetheirheart.Whencompassiongoestheheartisdead.
(c)Tobespirituallydeadistohavestoppedthinking.J.AlexanderFindlaytellsofa
sayingofafriendofhis"Whenyoureachaconclusionyou'redead."Hemeantthat
whenaman'smindbecomessoshutthatitcanacceptnonewtruth,heismentally
andspirituallydead.Thedaywhenthedesiretolearnleavesus,thedaywhennew
truth,newmethods,newthoughtbecomesimplyadisturbancewithwhichwecannot
bebothered,isthedayofourspiritualdeath.
(d)Tobespirituallydeadistohavestoppedreprinting.Thedaywhenamancansin
inpeaceisthedayofhisspiritualdeathanditiseasytoslipintothatframeof
mind.Thefirsttimewedoawrongthing,wedoitwithfearandregret.Ifwedoita
secondtime,itiseasiertodoit.Ifwedoitathirdtime,itiseasieryet.Ifwegoon
doingit,thetimecomeswhenwescarcelygiveitathought.Toavoidspiritualdeath
amanmustkeephimselfsensitivetosinbykeepinghimselfsensitivetothe
presenceofJesusChrist.
(ii)Johnalsousestheworddeadliterally.Jesusteachesthattheresurrectionwill
comeandthatwhathappenstoamanintheafterlifeisinextricablyboundupwith
whathehasdoneinthislife.Theawfulimportanceofthislifeisthatitdetermines
eternity.Allthroughitwearefittingorunfittingourselvesforthelifetocome,making
ourselvesfitorunfitforthepresenceofGod.Wechooseeitherthewaywhichleads
tolifeorthewaywhichleadstodeath.
THEONLYTRUEJUDGMENT(John5:30)
5:30Icannotdoanythingwhichoriginatesinmyself.AsIhear,
soIjudge.ButthejudgmentwhichIexerciseisjust,becauseI
donotseektodowhatIwishtodo,butIseektodowhathe
whosentmewishestodo.
IntheprecedingpassageJesushasclaimedtherightofjudgment.Itwasnot
unnaturalthatmenshouldaskbywhatrightheproposedtojudgeothers.Hisanswer
wasthathisjudgmentwastrueandfinalbecausehehadnodesiretodoanything
otherthanthewillofGod.HisclaimwasthathisjudgmentwasthejudgmentofGod.
Itisverydifficultforanymantojudgeanothermanfairly.Ifwewillhonestlyexamine
ourselveswewillseethatmanymotivesmayaffectourjudgment.Itmaybe
renderedunfairbyinjuredpride.Itmayberenderedblindbyourprejudices.Itmaybe
madebitterbyjealousy.Itmaybemadearrogantbycontempt.Itmaybemade
harshbyintolerance.Itmaybemadecondemnatorybyselfrighteousness.Itmaybe
affectedbyourownselfconceit.Itmaybebasedonenvy.Itmaybevitiatedbyan
insensitiveordeliberateignorance.Onlyamanwhoseheartispureandwhose
motivesarecompletelyunmixedcanrightlyjudgeanothermanwhichmeanstosay
thatnomancan.
OntheotherhandthejudgmentofGodisperfect.
Godaloneisholyandthereforehealoneknowsthestandardsbywhichallmenmust
bejudged.Godaloneisperfectlylovingandhisjudgmentaloneisdeliveredinthe
charityinwhichalltruejudgmentmustbegiven.Godalonehasfullknowledgeand
judgmentcanbeperfectonlywhenittakesintoaccountallthecircumstances.The
claimofJesustojudgeisbasedontheclaimthatinhimistheperfectmindofGod.
Hedoesnotjudgewiththeinevitablemixtureofhumanmotiveshejudgeswiththe
perfectholiness,theperfectloveandtheperfectsympathyofGod.
WITNESSTOCHRIST(John5:3136)
5:3136IfIbearwitnessaboutmyself,mywitnessneednotbe
acceptedastruebutitisAnotherwhoisbearingwitnessabout
me,andIknowthatthewitnesswhichhebearsaboutmeis
true.YousentyourenvoystoJohn,andheborewitnesstothe

truthbutthetestimonywhichIreceiveisnotfromanyman,but
Isaythesethingsthatyoumaybesaved.Hewasthelamp
whichburnsandshines.Foratimeyouwerepleasedtotake
pleasureinhislight.ButIhaveagreatertestimonythanJohn's.
TheworkswhichtheFathergrantedtometoaccomplish,the
veryworkswhichIdo,areevidenceaboutmetoprovethatmy
Fatherhassentme.
OnceagainJesusisansweringthechargesofhisopponents.Hisopponentsare
demanding."Whatevidencecanyouadducethatyourclaimsaretrue?"Jesus
arguesinawaythattheRabbiswouldunderstandforheusestheirownmethods.
(i)Hebeginsbyadmittingtheuniversalprinciplethattheunsupportedevidenceof
onepersoncannotbetakenasproof.Theremustbeatleasttwowitnesses."Onthe
evidenceoftwowitnessesorofthreewitnesseshethatistodieshallbeputto
deathapersonshallnotbeputtodeathontheevidenceofonewitness"
(Deuteronomy17:6)."Asinglewitnessshallnotprevailagainstamanforanycrime
orforanywronginconnectionwithanyoffencethathehascommittedonlyonthe
evidenceoftwowitnesses,orofthreewitnesses,shallachargebesustained"
(Deuteronomy19:15).WhenPaulthreatenstocometotheCorinthianswithrebuke
anddisciplinehesaysthatallhischargeswillbeconfirmedbytwoorthree
witnesses(2Corinthians13:1).JesussaysthatwhenaChristianhasalegitimate
complaintagainstabrotherhemusttakewithhimsomeotherstoconfirmthecharge
(Matthew18:16).Intheearlychurchitwastherulethatnochargeagainstanelder
wasentertainedunlessitwassupportedbytwoorthreewitnesses(1Timothy5:19).
JesusbeganbyfullyadmittingthenormalJewishlawofevidence.
Further,itwasuniversallyheldthataman'sevidenceabouthimselfcouldnotbe
accepted.TheMishnahsaid:"Amanisnotworthyofbeliefwhenheisspeaking
abouthimself."Demosthenes,thegreatGreekorator,laiditdownasaprincipleof
justice:"Thelawsdonotallowamantogiveevidenceonhisownbehalf."Ancient
lawwellknewthatselfinteresthadaneffectonaman'sstatementsabouthimself.
SoJesusagreesthathisownunsupportedtestimonytohimselfneednotbetrue.
(ii)Butthereareotherwitnessestohim.Hesaysthat"Another"ishiswitness,
meaningGod.Hewillreturntothat,butforthemomenthecitesJohntheBaptist
whohadrepeatedlybornewitnesstohim(John1:1920John1:26John1:29John
1:3536).ThenJesuspaysatributetoJohnandissuesarebuketotheJewish
authorities.
HesaysthatJohnwasthelampwhichburnsandshines.Thatwastheperfect
tributetohim.(a)Alampbearsaborrowedlight.Itdoesnotlightitselfitislit.(b)
Johnhadwarmth,forhiswasnotthecoldmessageoftheintellectbuttheburning
messageofthekindledheart.(c)Johnhadlight.Thefunctionoflightistoguide,and
JohnpointedmenonthewaytorepentanceandtoGod.(d)Inthenatureofthingsa
lampburnsitselfoutingivinglightitconsumesitself.Johnwastodecreasewhile
Jesusincreased.ThetruewitnessburnshimselfoutforGod.
InpayingtributetoJohn,JesusrebukestheJews.Theywerepleasedtotake
pleasureinJohnforatime,buttheyneverreallytookhimseriously.Theywere,as
onehasputit,like"gnatsdancinginthesunlight,"orlikechildrenplayingwhilethe
sunshone.Johnwasapleasantsensation,tobelistenedtoaslongashesaidthe
thingstheyliked,andtobeabandonedwheneverhebecameawkward.Manypeople
listentoGod'struthlikethattheyenjoyasermonasaperformance.Afamous
preachertellshowafterhehadpreachedasombersermononjudgment,hewas
greetedwiththecomment:"Thatsermonwassurecute!"God'struthisnotathing
bywhichtobepleasantlytitillateditisoftensomethingtobereceivedinthedust
andashesofhumiliationandrepentance.
ButJesusdoesnotevenpleadJohn'sevidence.Hesaysitisnotthehuman
evidenceofanyfalliblemanheisgoingtoadducetosupporthisclaims.
(iii)Soheadducesthewitnessofhisworks.HehaddonethatwhenJohnsentfrom
prisontoaskifhewastheMessiah.HehadtoldJohn'senquiringenvoystogoback
andtellhimwhattheysawhappening(Matthew11:4Luke7:22).ButJesusciteshis
works,nottopointtohimselfbuttopointtothepowerofGodworkinginhimand

throughhim.HissupremewitnessisGod.
THEWITNESSOFGOD(John5:3743)
5:3743AndtheFatherwhosentmehashomewitnessabout
me.Youhaveneverheardhisvoice,norhaveyoueverseen
hisform.Youdonothavehisworddwellinginyou,becauseyou
donotbelieveintheOnewhomhesent.Yousearchthe
scriptures,becauseyouthinkthatinthemyouhaveeternallife.
Itistheywhichbearwitnessaboutme,yetyourefusetocome
tomethatyoumayhavelife.IreceivenogloryfrommenbutI
knowyouandIknowthatyoudonothavetheloveofGodin
you.IcameinthenameofmyFatherandyetyoudonot
receiveme.Ifanothercomesinhisownname,youwillreceive
him.
Theearlypartofthissectionmaybetakenintwoways.
(i)ItmaybethatitreferstotheunseenwitnessofGodinaman'sheart.Inhisfirst
letterJohnwrites:"HewhobelievesintheSonofGod,hasthetestimony(ofGod)in
himself"(1John5:910).TheJewwouldhaveinsistedthatnomancaneversee
God.EveninthegivingoftheTenCommandments"youheardthesoundofwords,
butsawnoformtherewasonlyavoice"(Deuteronomy4:12).Sothismaymean:"It
istruethatGodisinvisibleandsoishiswitness,foritistheresponsewhichrises
inthehumanheartwhenamanisconfrontedwithme."Whenweareconfrontedwith
Christweseeinhimthealtogetherlovelyandthealtogetherwisethatconvictionis
thewitnessofGodinourhearts.TheStoicsheldthatthehighestkindofknowledge
comesnotbythoughtbutbywhattheycalled"arrestingimpressions"aconviction
seizesamanlikesomeonelayinganarrestinghandonhisshoulder.Itmaybethat
Jesusheremeansthattheconvictioninourheartsofhissupremacyisthewitness
ofGodwithin.
(ii)ItmaybethatJohnisreallymeaningthatGod'switnesstoChrististobefound
inthescriptures.TotheJewthescriptureswereallinall."Hewhohasacquiredthe
wordsofthelawhasacquiredeternallife.""HewhohastheLawhasacordofgrace
drawnaroundhiminthisworldandintheworldtocome.""HewhosaysthatMoses
wroteevenoneverseoftheLawinhisownknowledgeisadespiserofGod.""Thisis
thebookofthecommandmentsofGodandtheLawthatendurethforever.Allthey
thatholditfastareappointedtolife,butsuchasleaveitshalldie"(Baruch4:12)."If
foodwhichisyourlifebutforanhour,requiresablessingbeforeandafteritbe
eaten,howmuchmoredoestheLaw,inwhichliestheworldthatistobe,requirea
blessing?"TheJewsearchedtheLawandyetfadedtorecognizeChristwhenhe
came.Whatwaswrong?ThebestBiblestudentsintheworld,peoplewho
meticulouslyandcontinuouslyreadscripture,rejectedJesus.Howcouldthat
happen?
Onethingiscleartheyreadscriptureinthewrongway.
(i)Theyreaditwithashutmind.TheyreaditnottosearchforGodbuttofind
argumentstosupporttheirownpositions.TheydidnotreallyloveGodtheyloved
theirownideasabouthim.Waterhasasmuchchanceofgettingintoconcreteasthe
wordofGodhadofgettingintotheirminds.Theydidnothumblylearnatheology
fromscripturetheyusedscripturetodefendatheologywhichtheythemselveshad
produced.ThereisstilldangerthatweshouldusetheBibletoproveourbeliefsand
nottotestthem.
(ii)TheymadeastillbiggermistaketheyregardedGodashavinggivenmena
writtenrevelation.TherevelationofGodisarevelationinhistory.ItisnotGod
speaking,butGodacting.TheBibleitselfisnothisrevelationitistherecordofhis
revelation.ButtheyworshippedtheBible'swords.
ThereisonlyoneproperwaytoreadtheBibletoreaditasallpointingtoJesus
Christ.Thenmanyofthethingswhichpuzzleus,andsometimesdistressus,are
clearlyseenasstagesontheway,apointingforwardtoJesusChrist,whoisthe
supremerevelationandbywhoselightallotherrevelationistobetested.TheJews
worshippedaGodwhowroteratherthanaGodwhoactedandthereforewhenChrist

cametheydidnotrecognizehim.Thefunctionofthescripturesisnottogivelife,but
topointtohimwhocan.
Therearetwomostrevealingthingshere.
(i)InJohn5:34Jesushadsaidthepurposeofhiswordswas"thatyoumaybe
saved."Herehesays:"Iamnotlookingforanygloryfromman."Thatistosay:"I
amnotarguinglikethisbecauseIwanttowinanargument.Iamnottalkinglikethis
becauseIwanttoscoreoffyouandwintheapplauseofmen.ItisbecauseIlove
youandwanttosaveyou."
Thereissomethingtremendoushere.Whenpeopleopposeusandweargueback,
whatisourmainfeeling?Woundedpride?Theconceitthathatesanykindoffailure?
Annoyance?Adesiretocramouropinionsdownotherpeople'sthroatsbecausewe
thinkthemfools?Jesustalkedashedidonlybecausehelovedmen.Hisvoice
mightbestern,butinthesternnesstherewasstilltheaccentofyearninglovehis
eyesmightflashfire,buttheflamewastheflameOflove.
(ii)Jesussays:"ifanothercomesinhisownname,himyouwillreceive."TheJews
hadtheirsuccessionofimpostorsclaimingtobetheMessiahandeveryonehadhis
following(compareMark13:6Mark13:22Matthew24:5Matthew24:24).Whydo
menfollowimpostors?Becausetheyare"menwhoseclaimscorrespondwithmen's
owndesires."Theimpostorscamepromisingempiresandvictoryandmaterial
prosperityJesuscameofferingaCross.Thecharacteristicoftheimpostoristhe
offeroftheeasywayJesusofferedmenthehardwayofGod.Theimpostors
perishedandChristliveson.
THEULTIMATECONDEMNATION(John5:4447)
5:4447Howcanyoubelievewhenyouareoutfortheglorythat
yougetfromeachother,andwhenyoudonotsearchforthe
glorywhichcomesfromtheonlyGod?DonotthinkthatitisI
whowillaccuseyoutotheFather.Youhaveanaccuseritis
MosesImeanonwhomyousetyourhopes.Ifyouhad
believedinMoses,youwouldhavebelievedinme,forhewrote
aboutme.Ifyoudonotbelieveinhiswritings,howwillyou
believeinmywords?
ThescribesandPhariseesdesiredthepraiseofmen.Theydressedinsuchaway
thateveryonewouldrecognizethem.Theyprayedinsuchawaythateveryonewould
see.TheylovedthefrontseatsintheSynagogue.Theylovedthedeferential
greetingsofmenonthestreet.Andjustbecauseofthattheycouldnothearthe
voiceofGod.Why?Solongasamanmeasureshimselfagainsthisfellowmenhe
willbewellcontent.Butthepointisnot:"AmIasgoodasmyneighbour?"Thepoint
is:"AmIasgoodasGod?""WhatdoIlookliketohim?"Solongaswejudge
ourselvesbyhumancomparisonsthereisplentyofroomforselfsatisfaction,and
thatkillsfaith,forfaithisbornofthesenseofneed.Butwhenwecompareourselves
withJesusChrist,wearehumbledtothedust,andthenfaithisborn,forthereis
nothinglefttodobuttrusttothemercyofGod.
Jesusfinisheswithachargethatwouldstrikehome.TheJewsbelievedthebooks
whichtheybelievedMoseshadgiventhemtobetheverywordofGod.Jesussaid:
"Ifyouhadreadthesebooksaright,youwouldhaveseenthattheyallpointedto
me."Hewenton:"YouthinkthatbecauseyouhaveMosestobeyourmediatoryou
aresafebutMosesistheveryonewhowillcondemnyou.Maybeyoucouldnotbe
expectedtolistentome,butyouareboundtolistentothewordsofMosestowhich
youattachsuchvalueandtheyallspokeofme."
Hereisthegreatandthreateningtruth.Whathadbeenthegreatestprivilegeofthe
Jewshadbecometheirgreatestcondemnation.Noonecouldcondemnamanwho
hadneverhadachance.ButknowledgehadbeengiventotheJewsandthe
knowledgetheyhadfailedtousehadbecometheircondemnation.Responsibilityis
alwaystheothersideofprivilege.
Barclay'sDailyStudyBible(NT)

CopyrightStatement
Thesefilesarepublicdomain.
TextCourtesyofBibleSupport.com.UsedbyPermission.
BibliographyInformation
Barclay,William."Commentaryonjohn5"."WilliamBarclay'sDailyStudyBible".
"http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dsb/print.cgi?bk=42&ch=5&vs=1".1956
1959.
20012015,StudyLight.org
PoweredbyLightspeedTechnology