Oct. 06, 2024

                                                               John 5:10-24

                                                   “The Claims of The Christ”

October 6, 2024                                                                                                    Dr. Don Bazal

     Jesus, knowing the growing opposition of the Jews, went back to Jerusalem and healed a man on the Sabbath:  John 5:1-9.   In the remainder of this chapter Jesus answers the questions as to His authority:  vv 10-12.  Jesus’ answer regarding His authority is His claim to full equality and deity with The Father.

Exodus 23:12 – “Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves.

Nehemiah 13:19 – It came about that just as it grew dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut and that they should not open them until after the sabbath. Then I stationed some of my servants at the gates so that no load would enter on the sabbath day.

Jeremiah 17:21 – Thus says the Lord, “Take heed for yourselves, and do not carry any load on the sabbath day or bring anything in through the gates of Jerusalem.

Luke 11:46 – But He said, “Woe to you lawyers as well! For you weigh men down with burdens hard to bear, while you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers.

Matthew 23:1-4 – Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, ²saying:, 

 “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; 

³ therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. ⁴ They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.

James 4:17 – Therefore, to one who knows the ^[a]right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Matthew 5:17-18 – “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. ¹⁸ For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

THE THREE CLAIMS OF CHRIST

 Claim#1 – Equal with God in Nature or Essence:  vv 16-18

 John 1:18 – No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

Philippians 2:9-11 – For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

John 10:30 – “I and the Father are one.”

John 9:4 – We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.

John 6:28-29 – Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” ²⁹ Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

John 17:4 – I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.

Claim#2 – Equal with God in Power:  vv 19-21

 He is The Bread of Life

 He is The Light that gives life

 He is The Door to abundant life

 He is The Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep

 He is The Resurrection and The Life

 He is The Way, The Truth and The Life

 He is The Vine that gives life to the branches

Claim#3 – Equal with God in Authority:  vv 22-24

 NOTE: “Verily, Verily or Amen, Amen” is the strong affirmation of truth.   Here is an absolute statement regarding the security of the believer.

Matthew 16:13 – Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”