Friday 25th November
Read John 5:24-27
“‘Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.” (NIVUK)
Jesus provides a definition of what it means to ‘honour the Son’ (v23). They must hear His word and believe the Father who sent Him (v24). The life they receive will not simply be wholeness and completeness and ‘life to the full’ but they will receive resurrection life. Those who are spiritually dead will be ‘born from above’ and cross from death to life (v25). They can trust in Him because He is human in every way and judgment has been entrusted to Him (v27). All of this is said to gently guide us into the truth that God is One and is fully revealed in the Son.
For a Jew, the language of life, death and judgment being found in the One incomparable God is familiar and expected.
“‘See now that I myself am he!
There is no god besides me.
I put to death and I bring to life,
I have wounded and I will heal,
and no one can deliver out of my hand.
40 I lift my hand to heaven and solemnly swear:
as surely as I live for ever,
41 when I sharpen my flashing sword
and my hand grasps it in judgment,
I will take vengeance on my adversaries
and repay those who hate me.” (Deuteronomy 32:39-41) (NIVUK)
Jesus’ answer to the Jews concerning His claim to be ‘equal with God’, could not be more clear when He picks up all those common, familiar, themes – and applies them to Himself. The only wise response is to honour the Son.
“Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 2:10-12) (NIVUK)
