2.6 Summary
The Revelation of Jesus’ Divinity through Miracles and Signs

In Lesson 2, the focus is on the revelation of Jesus’ divinity through His miraculous signs, as described in the Gospel of John. These signs are not merely miracles in the classical sense but serve to unveil a deeper spiritual truth: Jesus is the Son of God, who has come to redeem humanity and reveal the Kingdom of God.

2.1 The Feeding of the Five Thousand

In John 6:1–14, Jesus feeds a large crowd with only five loaves and two fish. This miracle shows parallels to Moses and the manna that God provided to the Israelites in the wilderness. Jesus reveals Himself as the true “Bread of Life,” bringing eternal fulfillment. He clarifies that He does not merely satisfy earthly needs but also provides spiritual nourishment.

2.2 “Truly, This Is the Prophet”

After the Feeding of the Five Thousand, the people recognize Jesus as the prophesied Prophet who was to come into the world (John 6:14–15). However, they do not understand that He has not come to be an earthly king but to fulfill the deeper need of humanity for redemption. Jesus explains that He is the true “Bread of Life” and invites people to believe in Him to receive eternal life.

2.3 and 2.4 The Healing of the Blind Man (Part 1 and Part 2)

In John 9, Jesus heals a man who was born blind. This healing not only reveals Jesus’ power over physical blindness but also His authority over spiritual blindness. While the formerly blind man grows in his faith, the Pharisees become increasingly “blind” in their refusal to recognize Jesus as the Messiah sent by God. This story illustrates that true sight lies in recognizing Jesus as the light of the world.

2.5 The Raising of Lazarus

The raising of Lazarus in John 11 is the strongest sign of Jesus’ power over death. Jesus deliberately delays His arrival to reveal His authority over life and death. He declares, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), and raises Lazarus from the dead after four days in the tomb. This miracle demonstrates Jesus’ divinity and gives believers hope for eternal life.

Conclusion:

In all these signs, Jesus is revealed not only as a miracle worker but as the Son of God who has come to redeem humanity. His power over food, illness, blindness, and even death shows that He is the source of life and eternal salvation. These miracles challenge us to believe in Jesus and trust Him not only for our present lives but also for eternity.

The lesson on the signs of Jesus’ divinity in the Gospel of John has a profound connection to our daily lives and faith. These miracles not only reveal Jesus’ divine power but also provide important teachings that can strengthen us in our faith today.

1. Trust in God’s Provision (Feeding of the Five Thousand): In daily life, we often face material and spiritual needs that leave us feeling uncertain. The Feeding of the Five Thousand teaches us that Jesus can meet our needs even when our resources are scarce. He is the Bread of Life, nourishing us not only physically but also spiritually. In faith, this means that we can rely on God’s care in every situation—whether in times of scarcity or abundance.

2. Recognizing Jesus as the True Redeemer (“Truly, This Is the Prophet”): Like the people who wanted Jesus to be an earthly king after the Feeding of the Five Thousand, we sometimes seek quick, material solutions. However, Jesus came to bring a deeper redemption—the liberation from sin and access to eternal life. This teaching reminds us that our true hope lies not in earthly things but in the spiritual redemption and eternal life that Jesus offers.

3. True Sight through Faith (Healing of the Blind Man): The Healing of the Blind Man reminds us that we are often spiritually “blind” when we rely on human pride or knowledge. True understanding comes through humility and recognizing Jesus as the light of the world. In daily life, we can cultivate this spiritual sight by seeking God’s guidance in difficult situations instead of relying solely on our own limitations.

4. Hope Beyond Death (Raising of Lazarus): In moments of loss or grief, the Raising of Lazarus offers us hope. Jesus’ words, “I am the resurrection and the life,” remind us that death is not the end. This truth comforts us and strengthens our faith, knowing that Jesus has power over death and offers us eternal life.

Conclusion for Our Daily Life:

These signs teach us that Jesus desires to accompany us in all aspects of our lives—meeting our physical needs, fulfilling our spiritual yearnings, and even in the face of grief and death. We are called to place our trust in Jesus, who has power over every situation, and to recognize Him as our eternal Redeemer. In our daily lives, we can apply these teachings by relying on Him in every circumstance and trusting that He always has a plan that brings life, healing, and renewal.

Trust that God’s ways are often greater and deeper than we can understand—He has a plan that brings life and hope even in the most challenging moments.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-2-signs-of-divinity-2-6-summary-themes-in-the-gospel-of-john-living-faith/

October 11, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – John Chapter 5

¹ After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

² Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

³ In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

⁴ For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

⁵ And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

⁶ When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

⁷ The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

⁸ Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

⁹ And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

¹⁰ The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

¹¹ He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

¹² Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?

¹³ And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

¹⁴ Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

¹⁵ The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

¹⁶ And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

¹⁷ But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

¹⁸ Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

¹⁹ Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

²⁰ For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

²¹ For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

²² For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

²³ That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

²⁴ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

²⁵ 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.

²⁶ For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

²⁷ And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

²⁸ Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

²⁹ And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

³⁰ I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

³¹ If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

³² There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

³³ Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

³⁴ But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

³⁵ He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

³⁶ But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

³⁷ And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

³⁸ And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

³⁹ Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

⁴⁰ And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

⁴¹ I receive not honour from men.

⁴² But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

⁴³ I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

⁴⁴ How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

⁴⁵ Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

⁴⁶ For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.

⁴⁷ But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

King James Version. Public Domain

 

Commentary

Introduction

John chapter 5 describes the healing of a long-term sick man at the Pool of Bethesda by Jesus and the subsequent confrontation with the Jewish authorities because the miracle occurred on the Sabbath. In this chapter, Jesus reveals His divine authority by making it clear that He acts in harmony with God the Father. These events mark a turning point in the growing opposition of the religious leaders against Jesus, as He not only questions the Sabbath but also presents Himself as the Son of God.

Commentary

The Healing at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-16)

Jesus visits Jerusalem during a Jewish festival and encounters a man who has been ill for 38 years, lying by the Pool of Bethesda, where the sick wait for the water to be stirred so they can be healed (v. 3). The man complains that he has no one to help him into the water when it moves. This scene highlights the man’s helplessness and isolation, but also his deep hope for healing. Jesus, knowing the man’s long suffering, heals him with a simple command: “Rise, take up your bed, and walk!” (v. 8).

This healing on the Sabbath leads to conflicts with the Jewish authorities, who rebuke the healed man for carrying his bed on the Sabbath, which they considered work (v. 10). The healed man initially does not know who healed him, but later encounters Jesus in the temple, who warns him not to sin anymore “so that something worse may not happen to you” (v. 14). This statement suggests that the man’s physical suffering may have been a result of sin, and that Jesus offers not only physical but also spiritual healing.

Jesus’ Authority and His Relationship with the Father (John 5:17-30)

The reaction of the Jewish leaders to this healing escalates when Jesus responds to them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working” (v. 17). This statement is understood as blasphemy because Jesus is positioning Himself on the same level as God, prompting the leaders to persecute Him even more and demand His death (v. 18).

In the following verses, Jesus explains that He does nothing on His own initiative but only what He sees the Father doing (v. 19). He describes His unique relationship with God the Father, who not only gives Him the power to perform miracles but also authority over judgment for the world. Jesus emphasizes that faith in Him leads to eternal life and that He will one day raise the dead and judge them (vv. 28-29). This teaching on life, judgment, and resurrection makes it clear that Jesus possesses both authority over life and the destiny of humanity.

The Testimony About Jesus (John 5:31-47)

Jesus continues to speak about the testimony that confirms His divine authority. He refers to the testimony of John the Baptist (v. 33) but emphasizes that the greater works He does in the name of the Father are the strongest testimony of His mission (v. 36). Jesus sharply criticizes the Jewish leaders for studying the Scriptures but failing to recognize that these Scriptures point to Him (vv. 39-40). Despite their intensive Bible study, they lack the faith and willingness to come to Jesus to receive eternal life.

In conclusion, Jesus emphasizes that Moses, whom the leaders rely on for hope, is the one who will accuse them because Moses wrote about the coming Messiah, and they do not acknowledge Jesus (vv. 45-47).

Summary

John chapter 5 recounts the healing of a long-term sick man by Jesus on the Sabbath, leading to a conflict with the Jewish leaders. In this confrontation, Jesus reveals His divine authority and unique relationship with God the Father. He explains that faith in Him leads to eternal life and that He has the power to raise the dead and execute judgment. Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for studying the Scriptures but not recognizing that they point to Him. This chapter clearly demonstrates Jesus’ divine authority and marks a pivotal moment in the escalating opposition against Him.

 

 

 

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/11-10-2024-john-chapter-5-believe-his-prophets/