Jesus On Trial

Intro: Court Scene?

John 5:18-47.

The Claim

Vs. 18-30

Jesus begins our courtroom scene with His, “opening argument.” That’s when the defendent talks about why they are on trial.

Jesus claims that He’s God.

He makes the argument in vs. 17 that He and God the Father are working together because Jesus is also divine.

Then, Jesus talks about some of the different ways that we can see that He’s God.

Jesus gives life.

That is one thing that is reserved for God. Nothing else can craft life, or bring it back.

But God does it all the time.

He breathes life into Adam and Eve, He has Elijah and Elisha bring people back from the dead, and He tells Ezekiel to cry out to a valley of bones and they come to life.

God is in the business of giving life.

And then Jesus claims to do the same thing.

WE see that in Mark 5 with Jairus’ daughter and in John 11 with Lazarus, and with Himself and the empty tomb. He gives life.

But, at this point, He hasn’t done thatyet, but He can still make that claim. I think that’s because He’s not just talking about physical life, He’s talking about a spiritual one.

You see, we are all born spiritually dead. We are born with an intense need for more, and we’re never fully satisfied.

But Jesus satisfies us.

We even see that in John 4. He offers the woman living water so that she can be satisfied, He offers her life.

So, Jesus gives us life, like the Father gives life.

Jesus Judges

Next, Jesus claims that He can judge, which is reserved only for God.

This isn’t like a judgement we do, “that shirt is dumb” “That guy is cute” “Elijah has great hair,” It’s a divine judgement that determines if someone deserves hell or salvation, which neither you nor I can make.

Jesus says that He can divinely judge people on whether they will follow Him or not, something that only God can do.

The Defense.

John 5:33-47.

Jesus doesn’t just make these things up, nor does He tell the Pharisees, “just believe me,” He provides 4 different “witnesses” or sources.

John the Baptist.

John told everyone that Jesus is God, and people loved him, so why wouldn’t they believe him?

Jesus’ works.

Jesus has been doing things no one else did!

He made parapelegivs walk, changed water to wine, fed 5,000 with a lunchable, people don’t do that! But God, He can do what He wants.

The Father

Jesus tells them that the Father has made it clear that Jesus was sent by Him.

We see that in Jesus’ baptism when God says, “this is my Son, in whom I am well-pleased. Luke 3:22 “and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.””

The Bible

Jesus says that all the Bible points to Jesus.

From the very beginning, God providentially orchestrated everything that the Bible would point to Jesus.

The suffering servant in Is. 53, the sacrificial lamb in Ex 12, the man in the furnace in Dan. 4, Jesus has been there the whole time!

The Conclusion

We get to the end of this section and wonder what the Pharisees did after this

We don’t really know, but it seems like they all stuck with their beliefs and hated Jesus.

But you and I also have to deal with this. We have to figure out what we believe about Jesus.

Is God on trial in your life?

Do you not want to belivee in the God of the Bible?

Do you just not care?

Maybe you are Christian, but do you really follow him?

God can be so much to you if you’re willing to come to Him.

He can give you new life.

He can give you satisfaction

He can free you from your sin.

That’s the Gospel! TIM KELLER QUOTE

So, believe in Him.

John 5:24 “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.”

What you are given when you commit fully to God is new life, relatinoship with Him, and life forever with God, so give up your way of living and turn to Him!