A Glaring Contradiction

Credentials can be necessary.

Credentials come in a many shapes and sizes. Keys, badges, cards, etc. Where did you graduate from?

Who is Jesus?

This is the primary question of Scripture and our answer should make a difference. As we open up our text this morning the questions is being asked, who does Jesus think He is? Who do we know Jesus to be?

The options are infinite.

Look at verses 12 and 13. As we may remember Jesus has been followed because of what He could do but not because of who He is.

Jesus was not, and is not, about self-promotion.

He was about Father promotion. We are our best when we think less of ourselves and more of Jesus.

Originality may lead to error.

Our job is not to be “new” or “old”. It is not to be “original” or just a “copycat”. Our job is to be faithful in promoting who Jesus is and His Gospel.

God’s will is meant to be lived out.

Jesus in verse 16-17 makes this point abundantly clear. What is this will? To believe in the One who has come from God.

John 6:28–29 NIV

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

Jesus points out their contradiction.

The discussion about the Law and Sabbath, as well as the upcoming stories in chapter 8 and beyond, go to prove their real concern and motive is not to have faith in God. The issue, the sign, is the healing of the man in John 5.

We must judge justly in righteousness.

Two major words: justice and righteous. Neither come from ourselves as humans. Both are objective truths we can gain knowledge and wisdom in. Both come from Jesus the true and righteous judge.

In John 8 we will see this played out for us by Jesus.

Have you judged Jesus correctly?

This is the starting point. Have you judged Jesus and His word correclty? One of the glaring things, for me in this text, is there were those who saw Jesus and did not see how His work was from God. We can do the same today.

What is Jesus asking you to do?

The will of God is not something we think about it is something we live out. Believe in Jesus is not a truth we learn about just in books it is proven true when His followers do what he asks.

Who needs to hear this message?

Who can you share this with? How will you have a conversation with them?