John, Chapter 5

John 5

In summary --

There is an initial story of Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath and the leaders having real problems with Jesus and persecuting him because of his apparent disregard for the Law.
But the real point of the chapter is that Jesus makes the claim that he is one with and equal to God, the Father.

He does the work of the Father.
He has the authority of the Father.
He has the testimony of the Father (through his works).

Again, the divinity of Jesus is made clear in the gospel of John.
Jesus is God.

My favorite verse --

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

This is the second time we hear Jesus give this simple instruction about eternal life. (John 3:18)
Belief in Jesus and belief that he is sent by God -- that's the ticket!

Something to think about --

It seems that many religious people were putting their faith in what they believed the Scripture was telling them, but their understanding of the Scripture was wrong. In fact, the Scripture had become their god, it was their religion. They were consumed with following the Law and not with following God.
It seems that many religious people are still doing the same thing today.
Are we more about being "Christians" than we are about believing the words of Jesus and following his teaching?

John <><