Oh yeah, says who?Oh yeah, says who?

John 5John 5

Lewis WinklerLewis Winkler

The Growing Conflict:The Growing Conflict:John 5:1-18John 5:1-18

Jesus comes to Jerusalem for a Jewish Jesus comes to Jerusalem for a Jewish Festival.Festival.

He comes to a place known for healing.He comes to a place known for healing.

He goes there on the Sabbath.He goes there on the Sabbath.

Of all the possible people He might have Of all the possible people He might have healed, Jesus chooses one of the most healed, Jesus chooses one of the most hopeless and helpless cases.hopeless and helpless cases.

Things to Note about the HealingThings to Note about the Healing

The use of the present tense The use of the present tense ““isis”” has has interesting implications for the dating interesting implications for the dating of Johnof John’’s gospel.s gospel.

After 38 years of being an invalid, After 38 years of being an invalid, Jesus asks him if he wants to get well!Jesus asks him if he wants to get well!

There was no apparent exercise of faith There was no apparent exercise of faith by the one who was healed.by the one who was healed.

Things to Note about the HealingThings to Note about the Healing

Jesus shows that His ability to heal does not Jesus shows that His ability to heal does not depend on the response of the one healed.depend on the response of the one healed.

Rather, it depends on the divine will, Rather, it depends on the divine will, authority, and identity of Jesus.authority, and identity of Jesus.

Instead of stirring the waters of the pool to Instead of stirring the waters of the pool to heal, Jesus heals to stir the waters of heal, Jesus heals to stir the waters of contention between Him and the Pharisees!contention between Him and the Pharisees!

Jesus Clears the TempleJesus Clears the Temple(John 2:12-21)(John 2:12-21)

Jesus Brings the Gospel to SamaritansJesus Brings the Gospel to Samaritans(John 4:4-42)(John 4:4-42)

Jesus Heals a Roman OfficialsJesus Heals a Roman Officials’’ Son Son(John 4:46-53)(John 4:46-53)

John 5:16John 5:16

““So, because Jesus was doing So, because Jesus was doing these things these things on the Sabbathon the Sabbath, , the Jews persecuted him.the Jews persecuted him.””

A Tragic IronyA Tragic Irony

An An incredibleincredible miracle has happened! miracle has happened!

A manA man’’s tragic life has been s tragic life has been radically radically alteredaltered for the good. for the good.

A Tragic IronyA Tragic Irony

Those claiming to represent a God who Those claiming to represent a God who loves and heals humanity care more loves and heals humanity care more about about whenwhen the healing takes place the healing takes place than than what actually occurredwhat actually occurred..

John 5:18John 5:18

““My Father is always at his work to this My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working. For very day, and I too am working. For this reason the Jews tried all the harder this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was calling God his the Sabbath, but he was calling God his own Father, making himself equal with own Father, making himself equal with God.God.””

How can Jesus rightfully heal on How can Jesus rightfully heal on the Sabbath?the Sabbath?

He is God and therefore is the He is God and therefore is the ““Lord of Lord of the Sabbaththe Sabbath”” (Matthew 12:8)! (Matthew 12:8)!

In response, the Pharisees question In response, the Pharisees question both Jesusboth Jesus’’ authority and identity, even authority and identity, even threatening Him with death.threatening Him with death.

The Pharisees:The Pharisees:

Threatened by JesusThreatened by Jesus’’ Claims of Divine Claims of Divine AuthorityAuthority

Threatened by JesusThreatened by Jesus’’ Popularity Popularity

Threatened by JesusThreatened by Jesus’’ Revelation of Revelation of God which Challenged Their Faulty God which Challenged Their Faulty Interpretations of Scripture and the Interpretations of Scripture and the Authority of Their Man-made TraditionsAuthority of Their Man-made Traditions

John 11:47-48John 11:47-48

““Here is this man performing many Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. If we let him go on like miraculous signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.our place and our nation.””

Questions for Personal ReflectionQuestions for Personal Reflection

What might be keeping me from seeing GodWhat might be keeping me from seeing God’’s hand s hand at work in and around me?at work in and around me?

Is it pride?Is it pride?

Is it fear?Is it fear?

Is it a desire for material comforts?Is it a desire for material comforts?

Is it a person or a false ideology?Is it a person or a false ideology?

What keeps me from experiencing the abundant and What keeps me from experiencing the abundant and joyful life God wants me to know through Christ?joyful life God wants me to know through Christ?

The Witnesses for Jesus:The Witnesses for Jesus:John 5:19-47John 5:19-47

His His FatherFather and His and His WorksWorks (vs. 17-32, 36, (vs. 17-32, 36, 41-44)41-44)

His His ForerunnerForerunner (vs. 33-35) (vs. 33-35)

GodGod’’s s WordWord (vs. 37-40) (vs. 37-40)

MosesMoses (vs. 45-47) (vs. 45-47)

His His FatherFather and His and His WorksWorks

Jesus does things only God can do.Jesus does things only God can do. He miraculously heals (vs. 8-9).He miraculously heals (vs. 8-9). He gives life to the dead (vs. 21, 28-29).He gives life to the dead (vs. 21, 28-29). He will judge the world righteously and He will judge the world righteously and

bring honor to God the Father (vs. 22-23, bring honor to God the Father (vs. 22-23, 27, 30).27, 30).

He gives eternal life to all who believe in He gives eternal life to all who believe in Him (vs. 24-26, 28-29).Him (vs. 24-26, 28-29).

His His FatherFather and His and His WorksWorks Jesus possesses a unique relationship with Jesus possesses a unique relationship with

God the Father that no mere human can God the Father that no mere human can possess.possess. The Father loves Jesus and Jesus submits to and The Father loves Jesus and Jesus submits to and

does the Fatherdoes the Father’’s will (vs. 17-20, 30).s will (vs. 17-20, 30). As God the Father is the source and giver of all As God the Father is the source and giver of all

life and just judgment, so too is Jesus (vs. 21, 30).life and just judgment, so too is Jesus (vs. 21, 30). God the Father testifies that Jesus is who He God the Father testifies that Jesus is who He

claims and demonstrates Himself to be—God in claims and demonstrates Himself to be—God in the flesh (vs. 31-32, 37)!the flesh (vs. 31-32, 37)!

Unlike the Pharisees, Jesus cared most about Unlike the Pharisees, Jesus cared most about getting God the Father’s approval and not the getting God the Father’s approval and not the approval of other people (vs. 30, 41-44).approval of other people (vs. 30, 41-44).

His His ForerunnerForerunner: :

John the John the BaptistBaptist

John 1:19ffJohn 1:19ff

John 3:30John 3:30

GodGod’’s s WordWord

““We have found the one Moses wrote We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth.Nazareth.””

——John John 1:451:45

GodGod’’s s WordWord John 1:1-5 and Genesis 1John 1:1-5 and Genesis 1

Isaiah 40:3Isaiah 40:3

Isaiah 53Isaiah 53

Psalm 69:9Psalm 69:9

Numbers 21:8-9Numbers 21:8-9

Jesus fulfilled approximately 300 prophesies about Jesus fulfilled approximately 300 prophesies about Himself!Himself!

MosesMoses He is the one in whom He is the one in whom

the Pharisees had the Pharisees had supposedly set their supposedly set their hope (vs. 45).hope (vs. 45).

But Moses points the But Moses points the way to Jesus (vs. 46-way to Jesus (vs. 46-47)!47)!

Rather than their star Rather than their star witness and witness and vindicator, Moses vindicator, Moses becomes their hostile becomes their hostile witness and accuser!witness and accuser!

Conclusion and ApplicationConclusion and Application

Do you believe that Jesus can forgive Do you believe that Jesus can forgive your sin and give you eternal life?your sin and give you eternal life?

Are you willing to suffer hardship to Are you willing to suffer hardship to proclaim and follow Jesus?proclaim and follow Jesus?

The The Martyrdom Martyrdom of Polycarpof Polycarp

The Martyrdom of PolycarpThe Martyrdom of Polycarp

The Proconsul to 86-year-old Polycarp:The Proconsul to 86-year-old Polycarp:

““Have respect for your age, simply swear by the Have respect for your age, simply swear by the genius of Caesar; repent and say, ‘Away with the genius of Caesar; repent and say, ‘Away with the atheists.’”atheists.’”

Polycarp to the Proconsul and the Crowd:Polycarp to the Proconsul and the Crowd:

““Away with the Atheists!”Away with the Atheists!”

The Martyrdom of PolycarpThe Martyrdom of Polycarp

The Proconsul to Polycarp:The Proconsul to Polycarp:

““Swear by the genius of Caesar!”Swear by the genius of Caesar!”

Polycarp to the Proconsul:Polycarp to the Proconsul:

““If you suppose vainly that I will swear by the If you suppose vainly that I will swear by the genius of Caesar, as you say, and feign ignorance genius of Caesar, as you say, and feign ignorance of who I am, hear this plainly, I am a Christian. of who I am, hear this plainly, I am a Christian. But if you would learn the doctrine of Christianity, But if you would learn the doctrine of Christianity, assign a day and give me a hearing.”assign a day and give me a hearing.”

The Martyrdom of PolycarpThe Martyrdom of Polycarp

The Proconsul to Polycarp:The Proconsul to Polycarp:

““I have wild beasts here and I will throw you to I have wild beasts here and I will throw you to them, unless you repent!”them, unless you repent!”

Polycarp to the Proconsul:Polycarp to the Proconsul:

““Call for them: for the repentance from better to Call for them: for the repentance from better to worse is a change not permitted to us; but it is a worse is a change not permitted to us; but it is a noble thing to change from ungodliness to noble thing to change from ungodliness to righteousness.”righteousness.”

The Martyrdom of PolycarpThe Martyrdom of Polycarp The Proconsul to Polycarp:The Proconsul to Polycarp:

““I will cause you to be consumed by fire, if you I will cause you to be consumed by fire, if you despise the wild beasts, unless you repent.”despise the wild beasts, unless you repent.”

Polycarp to the Proconsul:Polycarp to the Proconsul:

““You threaten that fire which burns for a season You threaten that fire which burns for a season and after a little while is quenched: for you are and after a little while is quenched: for you are ignorant of the fire of the future judgment and ignorant of the fire of the future judgment and eternal punishment, which is reserved for the eternal punishment, which is reserved for the ungodly. But why do you delay? Come, do what ungodly. But why do you delay? Come, do what you will.”you will.”

The Martyrdom of PolycarpThe Martyrdom of Polycarp

Proconsul to the Crowd:Proconsul to the Crowd:

““Polycarp has confessed himself to be a Polycarp has confessed himself to be a Christian.”Christian.”

The Crowd to the Proconsul:The Crowd to the Proconsul:

““This is the teacher of Asia, the father of the This is the teacher of Asia, the father of the Christians, the puller down of our gods, who Christians, the puller down of our gods, who teaches not to sacrifice nor worship.”teaches not to sacrifice nor worship.”

The Martyrdom of PolycarpThe Martyrdom of Polycarp

The Proconsul to Polycarp:The Proconsul to Polycarp:

““Take the oath and I let you go, revile Christ.”Take the oath and I let you go, revile Christ.”

Polycarp to the Proconsul:Polycarp to the Proconsul:

““For eighty and six years have I been his servant, For eighty and six years have I been his servant, and he has done me no wrong, and how can I and he has done me no wrong, and how can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”blaspheme my King who saved me?”

The following are The following are slides NOT used in slides NOT used in

the sermon by the sermon by Lewis WinklerLewis Winkler

John 5John 5

Theme of John 5Theme of John 5

How should you respond to those who think less of you for believing that Christ is God?

Preview of John 5Preview of John 5

• Jesus is the Jesus is the healer healer (vv. 1-8).(vv. 1-8).

• Jesus is Jesus is persecuted persecuted by Jewish leaders by Jewish leaders (vv. 9-18).(vv. 9-18).

• Jesus Jesus defends defends Himself as the Son of God Himself as the Son of God (vv. 19-47).(vv. 19-47).

Scene #1: Jesus showed He is Scene #1: Jesus showed He is God God by healing an invalid (1-9a)by healing an invalid (1-9a)

• Who: Jesus & the invalidWho: Jesus & the invalid

• When: On the Sabbath during a feastWhen: On the Sabbath during a feast

• Where: Jerusalem’s Bethesda PoolWhere: Jerusalem’s Bethesda Pool

• What happened: Jesus healed the What happened: Jesus healed the invalid who suffered 38 yearsinvalid who suffered 38 years

• How: By one word of commandHow: By one word of command

• Why: Jesus healed him with a purposeWhy: Jesus healed him with a purpose

The man suffered 38 yearsThe man suffered 38 years

• He may picture the He may picture the Jewish nation that Jewish nation that had wandered in the had wandered in the wilderness 38 years.wilderness 38 years.

• His will was as His will was as paralyzed as well as paralyzed as well as his body.his body.

• The man illustrates The man illustrates the tragic spiritual the tragic spiritual state of the nation.state of the nation.

A Pool of HealingA Pool of Healing

• Hebrew meaning: “house of mercy” or “house of grace”

• Location: near the northeast corner of the Old City, close to the Sheep Gate

• Spiritual Meaning: Jesus Christ is “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29).

Bethesda PoolBethesda Pool

Some clues Jesus healed the invalid Some clues Jesus healed the invalid with purposewith purpose

• Jesus chose to heal Jesus chose to heal the man on the the man on the SabbathSabbath

• Jesus approached the Jesus approached the man (not vice versa)man (not vice versa)

• Jesus healed him while Jesus healed him while many others hoped for many others hoped for a curea cure

Scene #2: Jesus was persecuted (vv. 9-18)Scene #2: Jesus was persecuted (vv. 9-18)

• Who: Jesus, The invalid, Religious Who: Jesus, The invalid, Religious leadersleaders

• When: On the SabbathWhen: On the Sabbath• Where: JerusalemWhere: Jerusalem

• What happened: The invalid What happened: The invalid reported Jesus healed him. reported Jesus healed him.

Religious leaders persecuted JesusReligious leaders persecuted Jesus• How: tried to kill JesusHow: tried to kill Jesus

• Why: Because Jesus broke the Why: Because Jesus broke the Sabbath and making himself equal Sabbath and making himself equal

with God.with God.

Religious leaders reactionReligious leaders reaction

• They did not focus on the healing power of Jesus Christ but on the Sabbath itself: “It is the Sabbath, the law forbids you to carry your mat” (v. 10).

• They asked the man who told him to him to pick up the mat and walk (v. 12).

Religious leaders reactionReligious leaders reaction

• He said that Jesus told He said that Jesus told him to carry his mat.him to carry his mat.

• They began to They began to persecute Jesus (v. persecute Jesus (v. 16).16).

Response to Jesus’ claimResponse to Jesus’ claim

• He simply replied He was He simply replied He was doing only what His Father doing only what His Father was doing (v. 17)was doing (v. 17)

• Jesus said “My Father” Jesus said “My Father” instead of “Our Father” used instead of “Our Father” used by Jews = be equal with God.by Jews = be equal with God.

• The religious leaders instantly The religious leaders instantly understood Jesus’ claim.understood Jesus’ claim.

• These religious leaders tried These religious leaders tried all the harder to kill Jesus all the harder to kill Jesus because of His claim (v. 18).because of His claim (v. 18).

Scene #3: Jesus claimed to be the Son of Scene #3: Jesus claimed to be the Son of God (vv. 19-47)God (vv. 19-47)

Jesus claimed to be equal with God Jesus claimed to be equal with God (vv. 19-23)(vv. 19-23)

• He claimed to be one with His Father in He claimed to be one with His Father in His His worksworks (v. 19). (v. 19).

• He claimed to be equal with the Father in executing judgment (v. 22).

• He claimed to be equal with the Father by He claimed to be equal with the Father by deserving equal deserving equal honorhonor with the Father (v. with the Father (v. 23).23).

Jesus claimed to have authority to raise Jesus claimed to have authority to raise the dead (vv. 24-29)the dead (vv. 24-29)

• The future resurrection of Jesus (v. 26).The future resurrection of Jesus (v. 26).• The future resurrection of life where believers The future resurrection of life where believers

are raised from the dead (vv. 28-29a)are raised from the dead (vv. 28-29a)• The resurrection of condemnation (v. 29b)The resurrection of condemnation (v. 29b)

The fact that Jesus has the authority to raise the dead is proof that He is equal with the Father. Therefore, He is God.

Belief in Christ relates to three different resurrections (vv. 24-25):

Jesus claimed that there are valid witnesses to Jesus claimed that there are valid witnesses to support His claim to deity (vv. 30-47)support His claim to deity (vv. 30-47)

• John the Baptist (vv. 30-35).John the Baptist (vv. 30-35).

• The witness of Jesus’ miracles (v. 36).The witness of Jesus’ miracles (v. 36).

• The Word of the Father (vv. 37-47).The Word of the Father (vv. 37-47).

John the Baptist (vv. 30-35)John the Baptist (vv. 30-35)

• “Jesus is the Lord” (John 1:23).

• “Jesus is the Lamb of God” (John 1:29).

• “Jesus is the Son of God” (John 1:34).

The Witness of Jesus’ Miracles (v. 36)The Witness of Jesus’ Miracles (v. 36)

• His works were His works were works of the works of the Father (John 5:17-Father (John 5:17-20; 14:10).20; 14:10).

• Nicodemus Nicodemus admitted that admitted that Christ’s miracles Christ’s miracles identified Him as identified Him as “sent from God” “sent from God” (John 3:2)(John 3:2)

The Word of the Father (vv. 37-47)The Word of the Father (vv. 37-47)

• The Jewish people highly revered the The Jewish people highly revered the written Word of God, particularly the Law written Word of God, particularly the Law that was given through Moses.that was given through Moses.

• The Old Testament Scriptures bear The Old Testament Scriptures bear witness to Jesus Christ.witness to Jesus Christ.

The Problem of the Religious The Problem of the Religious LeadersLeaders

• They did not permit that Word to They did not permit that Word to generate faith in their hearts (v. 38).generate faith in their hearts (v. 38).

• Lack of love in their hearts (v. 42).Lack of love in their hearts (v. 42).