All About Jesus
The next reference is John 5:16-47. This section is loaded
with a lot of information. It can be divided into two sections: 16-30 which
talks about life through Jesus and 31-47 which states testimonies about Jesus.
A quick summary of verses 16 through 30 can be the
following. Jesus was persecuted for doing miracles on the Sabbath. He declared
His Father is always at work and the Son does likewise. This afforded Him more
persecution for He made Himself equal to God. In reply, He listed the many
things the Son can do because He sees the Father doing them. The miracles, the
judgments, and the giving of life are among His work. The last sentence in this
section states a fact worth pondering, “for I seek not to please myself but him
who sent me.”
In verses 31 through 47 can be summarized as Jesus listed
three testimonies about Himself; God the Father, John the Baptist, and the
works of Jesus which entail the miracles, the upcoming cross and resurrection. He
also revealed their hearts to them. They considered themselves
obedient to God and love God (by following the Sabbath, fasting, washings, etc…)
yet, they did not recognize that Jesus was sent by God because they did not
care to please God. They wanted to please men.
There are some in the churches who perform well in their
worship and in their service. But outside of church and church activities, they
do not reflect the doctrine they are to upkeep. Their words, appearances, and actions are
almost … hypocritical. They act like the Pharisees in Jesus’ time. It was all
an act in a grand play of deception. This deception was concocted by the devil.
It is a means to keep people busy doing church stuff without actually getting
any closer to God via Jesus Christ. They are blinded with pleasing men instead
of pleasing God. Are you one?
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and
sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do
not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his
good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 NIV
