What works of Jesus testify to His mission, as stated in John 5:36? The Claim Jesus Makes in John 5:36 “ ‘But I have testimony greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—bear witness about Me, that the Father has sent Me.’ ” (John 5:36) The Works That Bear Witness to Jesus’ Divine Mission • Miraculous Signs Over Nature – Turning water into wine (John 2:1-11) – Calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41) – Multiplying loaves and fish (John 6:1-14) – Walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33) • Supernatural Healings – The lame man at Bethesda on the very day of this discourse (John 5:1-9) – The royal official’s son (John 4:46-54) – The man born blind (John 9:1-7) – Countless others: “He healed all who were ill” (Matthew 8:16) • Authority over Demons – Casting out a legion of demons (Mark 5:1-13) – Setting free many oppressed and silencing unclean spirits who knew Him (Luke 4:41) • Power over Death – Raising Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:35-43) – Raising the widow’s son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17) – Calling Lazarus from the tomb (John 11:38-44) – His own resurrection, the ultimate sign (John 2:19-22; Acts 2:24) • Perfect Obedience and Sinless Life – “I always do what pleases Him” (John 8:29) – Pilate’s verdict: “I find no basis for a charge against Him” (John 19:6) • Fulfillment of Messianic Prophecy – Birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4-7) – Ministry in Galilee of the Gentiles (Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:12-16) – Healing and preaching good news to the poor (Isaiah 35:5-6; 61:1; Luke 4:17-21) • Teaching with Unmatched Authority – “Never has anyone spoken like this Man!” (John 7:46) – Sermon on the Mount showing the law’s true intent (Matthew 5–7) • Voluntary, Substitutionary Death – He laid down His life “for the sheep” (John 10:11) – Propitiatory sacrifice foreshadowed in Isaiah 53 and affirmed in 1 Peter 2:24 Why These Works Prove the Father Sent Him 1. They fulfill specific Old Testament promises the Messiah alone could meet (Luke 24:44). 2. They are deeds no mere prophet or teacher ever duplicated in scope or authority (John 3:2). 3. They align perfectly with the Father’s will, revealing divine unity: “The Father who dwells in Me does His works” (John 14:10). 4. They compel faith in His identity: “Believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me and I in the Father” (John 10:38). 5. His resurrection seals the testimony, declaring Him “Son of God in power” (Romans 1:4). Key Takeaways • Jesus’ works are God-given, public, and verifiable demonstrations of His Sonship. • Every miracle, teaching, and fulfilled prophecy forms a collective witness that the Father commissioned Him. • Trusting the record of these works leads to the life Jesus promises: “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). |
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