IS IT BLASPHEMY OR NOT?
John 5:16-30
Jesus’ healing of the paralytic man made the religious elites very upset because the man picked up his mat on the Sabbath. The Jews observed the Sabbath every week beginning at sunset on Friday evening and ending after dark on Saturday evening. They did not work or travel during this time. If anyone did travel or work during this time devote Jews would be extremely offended and claim this to be a blasphemous act on the part of the person committing it. Unfortunately, the Sabbath was a time of celebration, but the legalists had missed the whole point of the Sabbath. Sabbath was instituted when God said “The earth was created in six days, and on the seventh He rested.” Genesis 2:1-3
God is still in this rest, while upholding the earth by His power, and He is working and He remains in His sabbath rest doing it. The Sabbath is a time of rest for God’s creation to focus upon God, to celebrate His presence and power, it is to be a time of joy. This is why we are here, working hard throughout the week and today we have a day to rest and completely focus upon God and He mercy and grace over our lives while He remains in His Sabbath rest. The Sabbath was a future picture of a greater rest to come for those who are in Christ. When Christ came, He is our Sabbath rest, because that picture is no longer needed because Christ is here. This means that reality did away with the need for the Old Testament Sabbath, because we have Christ.
God has ceased from His work, because God as rested in what Christ did, and so do we. We have entered the sabbath- rest in Christ. “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” Col 2:16-17
We know the Scriptures reveal that the sabbath was created for man not God. “One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, in the time….. and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:23-28
The Lord’s Day is what we call it today and it’s not a day for selfish entertainment or amusement. I am not here to amuse you or entertain you, we are here to give God our full attention as we come together to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Today is our day of rest as we prepare to go back into the world to work and serve others with the grace of God in the gospel. The legalist does not celebrate, they observe, the pharisee’s did not rejoice at the overflowing grace of God in the Sabbath. They couldn’t, because something on their list was being violated, as Kent Hughes said its like the pharisees interpreted John 31 6 this way. “For God so loved the world that He gave a list, that whosoever might do the things on the list might have eternal life.: Jesus disagreed.” Breaking the sabbath was one thing; but how Jesus responds to them, they would consider this an act of blasphemy to compare yourself equal with God.
Blasphemy by definition is “to speak harm.” In the biblical context, blasphemy is an attitude of disrespect that finds expression in an act directed against the character of God.
What Jesus says to religious elites makes this man picking up his mat seem so small in comparison to what Jesus says to them. (v19-29) Like the Jewish leader, and religious cults, still today.. chose to deny Jesus’s claims as the religious elites did here after this man was healed of his inability to walk.
Islam in the Koran it says “Jesus was no more than a mortal whom Allah favored and made an example to the Israelites. Sura 43:59
Jehovah Witness claim Jesus is Michael the Arc Angel
Mormonism claim that Jesus is the half-brother of Satan
Arianism believe that God the Father created God the Son, expressing the belief that God the Father existed before God the Son and made God the Son as he made the earth and everything else.
Deists and Adoptionists believe that Jesus was a great man and a godly man but that he was not God. They deny the doctrine of the Incarnation, the Second Person of the Trinity who came to earth as a human without ceasing to be divine; which is the very basis of Christianity.
The Unification Church aka the Moonies “It is a great error to think Jesus was God Himself. Jesus is no different from other men.
The Masonic Lodge “Freemasonry carefully excludes' the Lord Jesus Christ from the lodge and chapter, rejects His atonement, denies and disowns His Gospel, frowns upon His religion and His church, ignores the Holy Spirit...”
Pelagianism believe that humans can obtain salvation outside of Christ solely through their own efforts.
Gnosticism believe that salvation can be achieved through a "secret knowledge"
Even so-called Evangelicals [I use that term loosely] blasphemy the name of Jesus Christ and His claims……
Kenneth Copeland said “Jesus has a beginning and an end.” In a message called [What Happened From the Cross to the Throne, Tape #00-0303]. Kenneth Copeland even went on to say in his own reference Study Bible “Satan conquered Jesus on the Cross and took His spirit to the dark regions of hell”
Paula White & Larry Huch, boldly and blasphemously stated “Jesus is not the only begotten Son of God. He is not. I am a son of God. He's the first fruit, He's the first-born of many. Jesus is not the only begotten Son of God. He is not. I am a son of God.”
All true blasphemy is rooted in false-worship & in so-called religious organizations because they all have something in common!
They DENY
the biblical truth claims of Christ as lies and distortion of the text.
It’s genius really! What better way to get people to ignore the Jesus of the bible by making Him out to be false teacher and liar. Throughout the centuries scholars and skeptics have given many different answers to the question “Who is Jesus Christ?” Countless opinions have appeared as unbelievers have attempted to explain away the truth about Him.
The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day were motivated by their hatred and bitterness towards Him, accused Him of many things.
A Samaritan……………..
John 8:48
A man who was demon
possessed………….. John 7:20; 8:52
An illegitimate
child or birth……….. John 8:41
A disrupter and
rebel to the traditions of men
A law breaker and
man who revolted against the government.
A man leading many
astray to judgement.
As one theologian put it so boldly and incorrectly “He [meaning Jesus] was an example of faith, not the object of faith.” NO, Jesus is the object and person of our faith. Paul said, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— Phil 3:8-9.
This is also evident in what we have already covered. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17
So, the question remains for us this morning! Was Jesus telling the truth of His divine authority or was He blaspheming God with His false actions and words?
Who owns the Sabbath
and who has the
right to claim to be
God?
The Lord answered that question
He is equal with God.
John 5:19-20
He is the Giver of
life. John 5:21, 26
He is the final
Judge. John 5:22-23
He will determine
the eternal destiny of humanity. John 5:24
He will raise the
dead. John 5:25-29
He is always doing the will of God. John 5:30
JESUS CLAIMED TO BE EQUAL WITH GOD THE FATHER IN HIS PERSON (17-V18)
"My
Father has been working until now, and I have been working." What is Jesus saying here? In my pre-incarnate
state and in my incarnate state, I’ve always been working and will continue to
work throughout my creation because I am God.
When the Samaritan woman said to Him “I know the Messiah is coming [He who is called the Christ which it’s the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word translated “Messiah”]; when that one comes, He will declare all things to us” John 4:25
Jesus responded with these words “I who speak to you an He” John 4:26
As one writer said “What
works did his Father work? He had made the world in six days, and had then
rested. He had rested from creating, but not from preserving. God preserves man
and beast continually. He is working in this manner on every side continually.
Were he to cease from this work on the Sabbath-day, or on any other day, all creatures
would sink into death; for it is God that preserves even the angels of heaven
from death every moment.
Jesus and the Father are in such an intimate relationship that whatever Jesus does (e.g., healing the lame man) is in perfect harmony with what the Father does.
In other words, Jesus is saying it is impossible for Him to
act independently of His Father.
Jesus is describing the intimacy and unbroken communion He has had eternally with His Father. This is exactly what Jesus is doing and will continue to do throughout eternity. This truth, should bring a sense of rest or peace in our day-to-day struggles of life. That Jesus never stops He is relentless in His pursuit of sanctifying you for His glory and saving lost sinners, just as He is in unbroken communion with the Father. The book of Hebrew is very clear on the personhood and deity of Jesus as it pertains to the God head. “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, (His equality with God , literal translation "in son") whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being (always being) the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person (His essence) and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (the work is completely finished)” Heb 1:1-3
He has sat down (means) honor, authority, and rest "it is finished" This is where He rules as Sovereign Lord, making Himself equal in every way as the Father. Jesus is so equal with the Father in His person Matthew says "For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." (Matt 12:8)
The
Son of Man is a name that Daniel gave the Lord Jesus before His incarnation. "….And behold,
One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the
Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given
dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass
away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.” Dan 7:13-14
JESUS CLAIMED TO BE EQUAL WITH GOD THE FATHER IN HIS ACTIONS (V19-V20)
"Truly, truly, I say to you" (v19) What I’m telling you is the truth so listen very carefully to what I am saying here. For a man to claim to be God was, to the Jews, an outrageous act of blasphemy as it would be for us if someone claimed to be Christ today as many have tried and failed. For example: Most recently a charismatic preacher Allan John Miller in Australia claims to be the reincarnation of Jesus A Russian ex- police officer calls himself “Vissarion” and also claims to be the Messiah. A man in the Philippines Apollo Carreon who has over 6 million follows today, claims to be the appointed Son of God. Now wanted by the FBI for sex-trafficking. Dr Jose Luis De Jesus Miranda from Miami Florida, claims to be the second coming of Jesus Christ.
The Scriptures reveal that Jesus isn’t some charlatan
or lunatic faking to be God
Jesus is saying, “Whatever my Father is doing, I’m doing also. Jesus is implying that the only One who could do what the Father does must be as great as the Father. Jesus is always acting in perfect harmony with and subordination to the Father’s will. This gives us the understanding His works paralleled those of the Father in both their nature and extent. Only someone who is equal to the Father could do everything that He does, this was a clear statement to His Divinity. This was authenticated when the inner core witnessed the glory of God in His Son. “While he (Peter) was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" Matt 17:5
Listen to Him
Trust Him
Obey Him
He speaks on My
behalf
The sad thing is that Moses speaks of the coming Lord Jesus to the people of Israel, which should have prepared them for this moment. “And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.” Deut 18:19. Isn't it a comforting to know that Jesus Christ has been working since the day He created it for His glory. Isn't it comforting to know that He came to this earth to complete the work, so that we could attain eternal life through Him alone. He is equal in His works "I and My Father are One" John 10:30. Jesus is proclaiming that He only does what He sees His Father doing.
JESUS CLAIMED TO BE EQUAL WITH GOD THE FATHER IN HIS POWER AND SOVEREIGNTY (V21, V24-V26)
Jesus has the power to raise the dead and He couldn't have made it any clearer to these men. “For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.” (v20) This is speaking of the powerful work of raising the dead. God has the power to raise the dead and Jesus also has that same power. The Bible says that only God has the power to give life to the dead. “Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.” Deut 32:39. Nothing is hidden, no sin goes unnoticed, and no good deed will go unnoticed either. I build, and I tear down, because I AM the LORD [the sovereign Creator] where there is nothing to impossible for me to handle.
The reason anyone
has life is because it’s a gift
of the Father and the Son.
(v21) To whom He wishes (or wills) reflects the Father's will, because the will of the Son is identical to the will of the Father. (v30) Note also that the phrase to whom He wishes was exemplified by Jesus choosing to heal one man out of a crowd of sick as we have just read. This is also evident in whom God calls out from the dead to spiritual life. Remember the story of Lazuras……… Mary and Martha's brother was dead for 4 days. Jesus wanted us and them to know that Lazuras was really dead, 4 days prove that, since the Jews don’t embalm their dead. When a person dies the Jewish practice is to bury the deceased as quickly as possible to provide comfort for their soul and to expedite the person's journey to the Next World. They do this as quick as possible also because some Jewish sects believe the soul hovers over the body for up to three days. Lazurus has been dead for a good solid 4 days. We are going to see what Jesus meant when He was speaking to these Religious blind men.
What is Jesus
capable of doing?
What makes Him equal with God?
Jesus has power to raise the physical dead, but he also has the power to give spiritual life to the spiritually dead, to which Lazurus is a picture of God’s saving grace. Lazurus had no part in his resurrection, he couldn’t even take the linen cloth from his body, somebody else had to do it for hi This is a picture of salvation, where God gives newness of life, born again life to a dead person, so they can live in newness of life through the life-giving power of the gospel in Christ alone. Raising the dead is of no effort for the Lord Jesus Christ. Do we remember when we Jesus spoke His last words on the cross? “And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.” Matt 27:51-53. Remember what Jesus said to the woman at the well? “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14. Jesus did not merely act as God’s representative when Her raised the dead, but as God Himself. The Son, Himself, gives resurrection and spiritual life to whom He wishes. (v24)
JESUS CLAIMED TO BE EQUAL WITH GOD THE FATHER IN HIS JUDGMENTS (V22, V27-V30)
Jesus has the authority to give spiritual life "Son gives life to whom He wills" He also has the authority to judge all men on the last day according to the scriptures. Its either going to be the Judgment Seat of Christ which is for the believer. Where Paul said we will all appear before Him “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Cor 5:10
Or the Great White Throne Judgment which is reserved for
the unconverted, unsaved, the rebellious sinner.
Why because Jesus says so in (v22) All judgment has been given to the Son, which means the Spiritually Blind will have their eyes opened finally when they see Him at the Great White Throne. But the sad reality is that it will be too late to defend your case or lifestyle choses. Matt 25:41 "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:” If your name is not found in the Lambs Book of Life you are lacking one thing! His imputed righteousness found in the gospel upon your life; and you will be cast into a Christ-less eternity facing the judgment for your sin and rebellion. But for those who are being saved we wait for the glorious return of our Lord Jesus, The Christ, to deliver us from this sin-filled world. As Paul so beautifully penned in 2 Tim 4:8 “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
I think Paul summarizes this glorious truth that
Jesus claimed to the religious skeptics of their day and ours.
“Therefore
God also has highly exalted Him [meaning Jesus] and given Him the name which is
above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in
heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father.” Phil 2:9-11
"My Father has been working until now, and I have been working." (v17) So, when a skeptic, a religious or a hostile person comes to you and tells you Jesus is a joke and He blasphemy’s the name of God, you can them to this portion of Scripture and say to them “No He is not! We submit and follow by faith in a God that says "God My Father and I His Son do not stop working on the Sabbath" We serve a God who never rests, yet rests because of what the Son accomplished when He came to do, the work the Father has given Him.
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