How does John 5:36 affirm Jesus' divine authority through His works? Verse in Focus “ But I have testimony greater than that of John. The works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.” (John 5:36) Context of John 5 - Jesus heals a man at the Pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath (John 5:1-15). - Religious leaders accuse Him of breaking the Sabbath and claiming equality with God (vv. 16-18). - Jesus responds by presenting witnesses to His identity: the Father, John the Baptist, Scripture, and His own works (vv. 19-47). Key Terms to Notice - “Testimony” (Greek: martyria): legal proof or witness. - “Works” (ergon): miracles and deeds uniquely assigned by the Father. - “Sent” (apostellō): commissioned and authorized by God. How the Works Validate Divine Authority - They are divinely assigned: Jesus performs only what the Father “has given Me to accomplish,” showing perfect submission and unity. - They surpass human testimony: greater than John the Baptist’s prophetic witness, His miracles offer irrefutable, objective evidence. - They reveal divine power: transforming water to wine (John 2:1-11), healing at a word (John 4:46-54), raising the lame (John 5:1-9) demonstrate authority over nature, disease, and physical limitations—powers belonging to God alone. - They authenticate His mission: each sign declares, “the Father has sent Me,” confirming Jesus as the divinely commissioned Messiah. - They demand recognition of deity: seeing the works means seeing the Father’s hand; rejecting them is rejecting God’s own validation. Supporting Scriptures - John 10:25 — “ The works I do in My Father’s name testify about Me.” - John 14:11 — “ Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me—or at least believe on account of the works themselves.” - Acts 2:22 — “ Jesus the Nazarene was a Man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him…” - Luke 7:22 / Matthew 11:4-5 — The blind see, the lame walk, the dead are raised—public evidence that confirms Messiah’s arrival. - John 3:2 — Nicodemus admits, “No one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.” Takeaways for Today - Jesus’ miracles are historical, literal acts that verify His divine authority. - Faith is grounded not in blind trust but in observable evidence supplied by God. - The same power witnessed in the Gospels continues to affirm Jesus’ lordship, inviting confident obedience and worship. |
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