John 5:25. In these two points of view, more particularly, John gives testimony to Christ; He is the lamb as the taker away of the world's sin; the same is He who baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. The addition of "unto him" detracts, to my mind, from the exceeding preciousness of what seems to be, at least, left open. He has not placed his salvation in sacraments, or books, or priests, but he has kept it in himself; and if you want to have it you must come to him." (Spurgeon) ii. And in this He is sovereign. Verse 4. . Observe: not which was, but "which is." It seemed natural: He had fed the poor with bread, and why should not He take His place on the throne? John 1:29-34) How rich it is, and how marvellously in keeping with our gospel! Further, John attests that he saw the Spirit descending like a dove, and abiding on Him the appointed token that He it is who baptizes with the Holy Ghost even the Son of God. He will have all honour the Son, even as Himself. But it is important we should know how He entered the world. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. John, therefore, who had been the honoured witness before of God's call, "the voice," etc., does now by the outpouring of his heart's delight, as well as testimony, turn over, so to say, his disciples to Jesus. The Jews, then, who could not help, and pitied not their fellow in his long infirmity and disappointment, are scandalized to see him, safe and sound, carrying his couch on that day. Just as in John 4:1-54, so here it is a question of power in the Holy Ghost, and not simply of Christ's person. We have in the gospels a faithful record of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, Acts 1 1. It is not merely a Messiah, who comes and offers Himself, as we find in other gospels, with most painstaking diligence, and presented to their responsibility; but here from the outset the question is viewed as closed. John 5:24 . Ye do search the Scriptures, and ye do well to do so. Practical Bible study on John 5:19-47. (SeePsalms 2:1-12; Psalms 2:1-12) But the Lord tells him of greater things he, should see, and says to him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, henceforth (not "hereafter," but henceforth) ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of man. Man, under law, proved powerless; and the greater the need, the less the ability to avail himself of such merciful intervention as God still, from time to time, kept up throughout the legal system. Pharisaic jealousy had wrought; and Jesus, wearied, sat thus at the fountain of Jacob's well in Sychar. But let them beware how they perverted it. We have seen already that thus light was shed on men. He who, living, was received for eternal life, is our meat and drink in dying, and gives us communion with His death. [Jesus continued,] "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. John 1:35-40) Our Lord acts as One fully conscious of His glory, as indeed He ever was. 5. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. 1 After this there was a a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. What a witness all this to His person! He that believes on the Son has everlasting life; and he that disobeys the Son, in the sense of not being subject to His person, "shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" Such is the issue of the Son of God present in this world an everlasting one for every man, flowing from the glory of His person, the character of His testimony, and the Father's counsels respecting Him. No doubt He must become a man, in order, amongst other reasons, to be a sufferer, and to die. It finds, of course, a present application, and links itself with that activity of grace in which God is now sending out the gospel to any sinner and every sinner. We've got Meb Faber back on the show to nominally talk about trend following - but as often happens with Meb - we get into a bunch from global equity . They had no common thoughts, feelings, or ways with the Father and the Son. It is not John's business here to call attention to His Messiahship, not even when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask, Who art thou? Controversy with the " Jews" who Believed. Many are convinced by this appeal. Nevertheless, the heavenly part is little dwelt on, as John's gospel displays our Lord more as the expression of God revealed on earth, than as Man ascended to heaven, which fell far more to the province of the apostle of the Gentiles. It is not only the nature, but the model and fulness of the blessing in the Son, who declared the Father. Nobody had gone up to heaven: God had taken more than one; but no one had gone there as of right. The great fact of the incarnation is brought before us "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father"). This is a perfect illustration of John 15:5 where Jesus declared "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit (IN THIS CASE ABIDING WAS SIMPLY OBEYING), for apart from Me you can do nothing (EVEN FISHING - BUT . (Verse John 7:39), Nothing can be simpler than this. Here was One on earth who knew all secrets. Verse John 1:29 opens John's testimony to his disciples. There He supposes His full rejection and death. They could not deny Him to be man Son of man. As a present fact, the Lord justifies the judicial act before their eyes by His relationship with God as His Father, and gives the Jews a sign in the temple of His body, as the witness of His resurrection power. 2 Now there is . by . Here, then, we have a remarkable display of that which preceded His Galilean ministry, or public manifestation. John 5:39-42New International Version. Christ was the true sanctuary, not that on which man had laboured so long in Jerusalem. Jesus raised the corpse of Lazarus from death to life. Meanwhile there was a manifestation of goodness, active in love in the midst of evil, and toward such; active in the making known God and man, and every moral relation, and what He is toward man, through and in the Word made flesh. (VersesJohn 7:33-36; John 7:33-36) Jesus was returning to Him that sent Him, and the Holy Ghost would be given. Just as distinct and beyond comparison is His testimony who, coming from heaven and above all, testifies what He saw and heard, however it might be rejected. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. Observe, it is not (as is often very erroneously said or sung) a question of sins, but of the "sin" of the world. From the very first, man, being a sinner, was wholly lost. Resume Prayer. Verse 39. Hence the Son, being in this ineffable nearness of love, has declared not God only, but the Father. This we have had fully before. English Standard Version. Bear in mind though that treated wastewater is not For "he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. In truth, Christian baptism did not yet exist, but only such as the disciples used, like John the Baptist; it was not instituted of Christ till after His resurrection, as it sets forth His death. After this we have, suitably to this gospel, John's connection with the Lord Jesus. Bible sermons, Evidence that Jesus Christ is God, John 5:36-40. After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Had it been meant, it was no wonder that Nicodemus did not know how these things could be. Thus it is a kind of transitional fact for a most important part of our gospel, though still introductory. that we may give an answer to them that sent us. (ver. And they asked him, What then? Accordingly, if the law raised the question of righteousness in man, the cross of the Lord Jesus, typifying Him made sin, is the answer; and there has all been settled to the glory of God, the Lord Jesus having suffered all the inevitable consequences. OUTLINE: [3 A The Book of the Seven Signs (2:1 -12:50)] . ( John 5:1-4) The pool of Bethesda. Now it is that the great question is decided; now it is that a man receives or refuses Christ. John 5:28-30 Resurrection. Alas! But this is not the question of grace: not what she was, but what He is who was there to win and bless her, manifesting God and the Father withal, practically and in detail. Each had his own; all are harmonious, all perfect, all divine; but not all so many repetitions of the same thing. The truth is, the design of manifesting His glory governs all; place or people was a matter of no consequence. The Word, in order to accomplish these infinite things, "was made. Besides this, goodness overflows, in that the Father is gathering children, and making worshippers. For this, therefore, the Jews sought the more to kill Him; because He added the greater offence of making Himself equal with God, by saying that God was His own Father. Meanwhile, for Christian worship, the hour was coming and in principle come, because He was there; and He who vindicated salvation as of the Jews, proves that it is now for Samaritans, or any who believed on account of His word. For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. "Ye will not come to me that ye might have life." This is grace and truth. John 8:31-James : . Exegetical Commentary on John 5. Nor would the rejected Christ, the Son of man; for if lifted up on the cross, instead of having the throne of David, the result would be not merely earthly blessing for His people according to prophecy, but eternal life for the believer, whoever. How, indeed, could it be stayed within narrow limits? Matthew 5:39 "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. All this clearly goes down to millennial days. His joy was that of a friend of the Bridegroom (to whom, not to him, the bride belonged), and now fulfilled as he heard the Bridegroom's voice. Whosoever denieth the Son hath not the Father; he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. It was sabbath-day. Get This Daily Devotional by Email. 39 You study[ a] the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. The president of the United Church of Christ writes to say he doesn't recognize the Christianity espoused by, and used as a defense for, the actions of Florida Gov. But this, however worthy of God, and indispensable for man, could not of itself give an adequate expression of what God is; because in this alone, neither His own love nor the glory of His Son finds due display. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? (2) Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Hebrew is called Bethesda, and that is surrounded by five covered colonnades. But the Scriptures point to me! Here there is no John proclaiming Jesus as the One who was about to introduce the kingdom of heaven. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary. Verse 40. You may be familiar with the story: "The Princess and the Pea". Heavenly things, therefore, could not but be natural to Him, if one may so say. Spurgeon's Verse Expositions of the Bible. Using the Bible to impress others rather than to grow in humility and love for God will keep you from faith in Christ (5:39-42). of David Allan Coe (born September 6, 1939) is an American singer and songwriter. The claims made, if less than the author represents them, were such as to raise the question of authority. They knew what they worshipped, but not the Father, nor were they "true." Friday, April 15, 2022. Without sign, prodigy, or miracle, in this village of Samaria Jesus was heard, known, confessed as truly the Saviour of the world ("the Christ" being absent in the best authorities, ver. Life resurrection will display how little they had to be ashamed of, who believed the record given of His Son; the resurrection of judgment will make but too plain, to those who despised the Lord, both His honour and their sin and shame. Indeed, He was the great Prophet, as He was the great King, and as He is now the great Priest on high. John 4. Granted He was the Son of man; but as such, He had all judgment given Him, and would judge. John 5:31-38 Bear Witness. Jesus urged them to search those Scriptures with more diligence and attention. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. These two are interwoven, because what he taught explained what he did, and what he did confirmed what he taught. Of course it is the revelation of Christ; but here He was simply revealing the sources of this indispensable new birth. The Father seeks worshippers. (See Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 13:11-13) Again, let me just remark in passing, that although, no doubt, we may in a general way speak of those who partake of the new nature as having that life, yet the Holy Ghost refrains from predicating of any saints the full character of eternal life as a present thing until we have the cross of Christ laid (at least doctrinally) as the ground of it. In short, the riches of God's grace are here according to the glory of the Son, and in the power of the Holy Ghost. (Ver. None but a divine being could thus deal with the world. There is difference of manner for the world and His own ignorance and rejection. (Read John 5:39-44) The Jews considered that eternal life was revealed to them in their Scriptures, and that they had it, because they had the word of God in their hands. John 1:26-27; John 1:26-27) For himself he was not the Christ, but for Jesus he says no more. By . (Ver. He had no need that any should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. It is not that He denies the truth of what they were thus desiring and attached to. Coe took up music after spending much of his early life in reform schools and prisons, and first became notable for busking in Nashville.He initially played mostly in the blues style, before transitioning to country music, becoming a major part of the 1970s outlaw country scene. All is in the character of the Son of man. Thus, in His person, as well as in His work, they joined issue. How striking the omission! 7.45: What the American Commentators Say. But the Scriptures point to me! It is our evangelist's way of indicating His Galilean sojourn; and this miracle is the particular subject that John was led by the Holy Ghost to take up. The following section summarises the teaching by which Jesus tried to bring the more favourably disposed of the " Jewish" party to a fuller faith. As there is an absolute necessity on God's part that man should be thus born anew, so He lets him know there is an active grace of the Spirit, as the wind blows where it will, unknown and uncontrolled by man, for every one that is born of the Spirit, who is sovereign in operation. Changelog Sourced from browserslist's changelog. As to Himself, He does not go at that time to the feast of tabernacles; but later on He goes up "not openly, but as it were in secret" (verseJohn 7:10; John 7:10), and taught. International Bible Study Commentary. How withering the words! Join Profs. One needs no more than to read, as believers, these wonderful expressions of the Holy Ghost, where we cannot but feel that we are on ground wholly different from that of the other gospels. 4.16.5 Fixed unsafe RegExp . Luke 5 - Disciples Are Called A. (VersesJohn 5:8-12; John 5:8-12), But were the Jews mistaken after all in thinking that the seal of the first covenant was virtually broken in that deliberate word and warranty of Jesus? Salem Media Group. Verse 3. john 8 32) John 5:39 (King James Version) 5:1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Grab your favorite trucker hat/baseball cap, and settle in for this episode where Jeff picks Meb Faber's @MebFaber brain on everything from skiing to picking an investment advisor because they can get you on at Riviera Country Club. His corporeal presence was not necessary; His word was enough. (Verses John 4:20-30), The disciples marvelled that He spoke with the woman. Verse 5:4. In a certain sense, the principle of John 4:1-54 was made true in the woman of Samaria, and in others who received Christ then. Commentary on John 5:39-44 (Read John 5:39-44) The Jews considered that eternal life was revealed to them in their Scriptures, and that they had it, because they had the word of God in their hands. 5:2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. No doubt there are intervening applications; but such is the ultimate result of His work as the Lamb of God. Such shall live. John 7:24) They reason and are in utter uncertainty. "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." Life out of death was wanted by man, such as he is; and this the Father is giving in the Son. Flesh and world are judged morally. This should be translated, not in the imperative, but in the indicative mood-thus, Ye search the Scriptures diligently.That these words are commonly read in the imperative mood is sufficiently known; but this reading can never accord well with the following verse, nor can the force and energy of the . If he receives Him, it is everlasting life, and Christ is thus honoured by him; if not, judgment remains which will compel the honour of Christ, but to his own ruin for ever. "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." ( ) flesh, and dwelt among us." Verse 39. Later He was determined to be Son of God with power by resurrection of the dead. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. John 1:19-37; John 1:19-37) It is here presented historically. Verse 2. "He came unto his own [things], and his own [people] received him not. Hence the Lord, while fully owning the labours of all preceding labourers, has before His eyes the whole boundless expanse of grace, the mighty harvest which His apostles were to reap in due time. John 5:39-40: "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.". not the Jews only; for, as far as intelligence went, it was little better with the disciples till He rose from the dead. Nothing in the slightest degree detracted from His own personal glory, and from the infinitely near relationship which He had had with the Father from all eternity. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him." Their refusal to come to Jesus was despite their searching of the Scriptures ( John 5:39 ). Read full chapter. Verses 5:5, 6, 7, 8. There is the need of another nature, and the only way in which this nature is communicated is by being born of water and the Spirit the employment of the word of God in the quickening energy of the Holy Ghost. John 5:39-40. (Ver. This the Lord refuses, and goes up the mountain to pray, His disciples being meanwhile exposed to a storm on the lake, and straining after the desired haven till He rejoins them, when immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. But what we learn is, that our Lord (viewed as having entered into heaven as man on the ground of redemption, i.e., ascended, after having passed through death, into glory) from that glory confers meanwhile the Holy Ghost on him that believes, instead of bringing in at once the final feast of gladness for the Jews and the world, as He will do by-and-by when the anti-typical harvest and vintage has been fulfilled. Alas! His death on the cross included much more, clearly answering to the first; His baptizing with the Holy Ghost followed His going to heaven. In Him was life for this scene of death; and it is of faith that it might be by grace. Thus in one way or the other all must honour the Son. Jesus gives us these contrasts - between old and new wine, between old and new garments - and this helps us to understand that the future will not be the same as the present. The refusal of His precious blood will, on the contrary, make their case incomparably worse than that of the heathen who never heard the good news.
Gideon By Nicole Riddley, Articles J
Gideon By Nicole Riddley, Articles J