John 5:1-29
Dear RTB’ers,
Jesus is back in Jerusalem at one of the three annual feasts, where again He is healing on the Sabbath. This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him… (v. 18a) Today we have the first account in John’s gospel of the Jews seeking to kill Jesus. We’ll see it again in a few days (John 7:1), then much later toward the end of Jesus’ life (John 11:47-53).
For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He will. (v. 21) I wonder how much Jesus knew of future events in His earthly life. We have record of Him raising three people from the dead – the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11–17); Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:21-43); and Lazarus (John 11:14, 39-44). Did He foresee these incidents months or years ahead of time? Not a major point, but intriguing nonetheless…
Just three days ago I posted on the truth of present day “eternal life”. We see it again today: Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He … has passed from death to life. (v. 24) As people of God we need to know, believe, and claim our current heavenly status. I am confident that our active belief in our present-day eternal life will change our thoughts and our actions. We need to claim this and act on it.
Blessings.
See also: