John 5-7

John 5

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

• Jesus goes to Jerusalem for a feast
• At the pool of Bethesda lies a man disabled for thirty-eight years
  • Jesus asks: “Do you want to be healed?”
• The man explains he has no one to help him into the pool
  • Jesus says: “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”
• The man is immediately healed

Conflict Over the Sabbath

• The healing occurs on the Sabbath
• Jewish leaders object to the man carrying his mat
• Jesus later finds the man in the temple and says: “Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.”
  • Eternal damnation is worse 

Jesus’ Authority Equal With the Father

• Jesus says: “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
• Leaders understand Jesus is:
  • calling God His Father
  • making Himself equal with God
• Jesus says:
  • the Son does what He sees the Father doing
  • the Father loves the Son
  • the Son gives life
  • the Son executes judgment
• Honoring the Son honors the Father

From Death to Life

• Whoever hears and believes:
  • has eternal life
  • passes from death to life
• Jesus speaks of future resurrection:
  • resurrection of life
  • resurrection of judgment

Witnesses About Jesus

• Jesus references John’s testimony
• Jesus’ signs testify about Him
• The Father Himself bears witness
• Scriptures Testify About Jesus
  • Jewish leaders search Scripture yet refuse to come to Jesus
  • Jesus says Moses wrote about Him

This confused me: “Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope” because of verse 22 saying “For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,” 

But think of a courtroom:

• Jesus is Judge
• Moses functions like a witness/prosecutor

John 6

Feeding the Five Thousand

• Crowd follows because of signs/healings
• Jesus tests Philip: “Where are we to buy bread?”
• A boy offers:
  • five barley loaves
  • two fish
• Jesus multiplies the food
  • Thousands are fed
  • Twelve baskets remain

People Want to Make Jesus King

• Crowd sees the sign
• Jesus perceives they will try to take Him king by force
• Jesus withdraws alone

Jesus Walks on Water

• Strong winds arise
• Jesus walks on water toward the boat
• He says:“It is I; do not be afraid.” ἐγώ εἰμι (egō eimi)
  • “I AM”

Bread of Life Discourse

• Crowds go to Capernaum to seek Jesus 
• Jesus rebukes them for seeking more food
• Encourages them to seek eternal food
• Crowd references manna from Moses
  • Jesus says:“
    • My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.”
    • “I Am the Bread of Life”
    • “Whoever comes to me shall not hunger.”
      • spiritual satisfaction
      • eternal life

Eating His Flesh and Drinking His Blood

• Jesus uses  imagery of eatingHis flesh and drinking His blood
  • Many say:“This is a hard saying.”
  • Many disciples stop following Jesus 

Peter’s Confession

• Jesus asks the Twelve: “Do you want to go away as well?”
• Simon Peter responds: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Jesus says one of the Twelve is a devil (Refers to Judas Iscariot)

• διάβολος diabolos
• To slander or accuse

John 7

Jesus at the Feast of Booths

• Jesus’ brothers urge Him to go publicly to Judea
  • John notes even His brothers did not believe in Him
  • Jesus says His time has not yet come
• Jesus later goes privately to the feast
• People debate about Him: good man or deceiver?

People wonder how Jesus knows Scripture without formal training

• Jesus says His teaching comes from the Father

Jesus references healing from chapter 5

• Challenges inconsistent judgment
  • “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Debate About Jesus’ Identity

• Some think Jesus may be Messiah
• Others object because they think Messiah’s origin should be hidden (Malachi 3:1 states a sudden appearance)
  • Jesus is “from” Galilee
  • Jesus is FROM God
• Religious leaders attempt arrest
• Officers return saying “No one ever spoke like this man!”

Living Water Promise

• At feast Jesus cries out: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.”
• Whoever believes receives: “rivers of living water”
• John explains:
  • refers to the Holy Spirit
  • Spirit would be given after Jesus’ glorification

Division Among the People

• People argue whether Jesus is:
  • Prophet
  • Christ
  • deceiver
• They wanted to arrest Him (again)
• Nicodemus defends Him
  • Leaders mock him saying no prophet has come from Galilee
    • Jonah came from Galilee – Gath Hepher

Application

Jesus brought a lot of confusion, especially among the Jews. This was not the Messiah they had pictured. Their Messiah would appear suddenly, with no origin, and fight for justice – presenting Himself as a King. Jesus came humbly, speaking in parables, and angering the leaders of the Jews. Sometimes our expectations are more important to us than God’s actual plan.