Lover of my Soul X

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