JESUS GIVES ETERNAL LIFE

John 5:16-30 / Keywords 5:24

I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

The Authority of the Son

5:16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

1. The Jewish leaders wanted to kill Jesus. After all, Jesus boldly claimed that as God’s Son, he was doing only what the Father was doing. He worked out of his love and obedience to the Father. Jesus is God incarnate (Jn 1:14). He is “Immanuel”—”God with us” (Mt 1:23). Jesus came down from heaven to do the will of God (Jn 6:38). At the Transfiguration, Jesus revealed his divine glory of the Son. Jesus the Son and God the Father are one. So, those who honor Jesus honor the Father. We are to honor Jesus and worship him. To honor Christ, we are to do what Christ has been doing. Those who do what Jesus has been doing do the Father’s will. 

2. Jesus gives eternal life to the one who hears his words and believes him. Hearing is the first and crucial step as faith comes through hearing the word of Christ (Rm 10:17). Those who have eternal life have crossed over from death to life. And there is now no condemnation (Rm 8:1). Their vindication is present in the here and forever. Jesus is the giver of eternal life. He will also raise everyone from the dead and judge them. Jesus invites everyone openly to eternal life. 

Prayer Lord, thank you for Jesus, the giver of eternal life and the judge. Help me do what Jesus has been doing today. 

One Word Jesus is God