Life of Christ 16

Intro.

Speaking of Christ Authority

He has demonstrated His authority in every facet - life, nature, salvation, and Jewish life

We now enter the place in which Jesus crosses the line with the Pharisees

Every Pharisee has a sacred cow - something that is not to be touched - For the Pharisees - it was the Sabbath

The Biblical command to honor the Sabbath had been warped by their legalistic minds and they were going to determine exactly what that meant - Rabbinic traditions

Not pull gray hair

Not to make or loosen a knot

Not to write two letters of the alphabet together

No digging - You could not drag a chair because it might make a rut

Not to wear false teeth

The pharisees had placed eschatalogical value on the Sabbath - They believed that if they could get everyone to keep the Sabbath pure - Then the Messiah would come

Bad theology on the Sovereignty of God

Their bad theology kept them from seeing Jesus right in front of them

Jesus through His words and actions and miracles is going to demonstrate His authority over the Sabbath

Background

This is the one year mark of Christ’s ministry

He is back at Jerusalem - At A Feast - More than likely the Passover

The first year the Pharisees and scribes doubted and murmured against Jesus the second year it intensifies all the while Jesus is becoming more popular with the people

By Chp.7 - Full out rejection and accusation of demon possession by the Sanhedrin

Exposition

v5-6 : God’s Soveirgnty - Explain how fairness isnt what we want from God

v7: The Jews were very supersticious and mystic in nature - They believed an angel stirred the waters - History records that the pools would be disturbed and gain a redish tint - More than likely there was an underground spring and minerals would have been present - Medicinal value - Think epsom salts

v8 - It is against the Pharisee’s tradition for a man to carry his bed (rug) on the Sabbath

v14 - Some disease is related to sin

v17-23 - Passage of Great Theological importance - Christology (The STudy of who Jesus is)

Jesus is going to make 5 claims so that the Pharisees understand what He is claiming

He is Equal with God in Person (v17-18)

He is Equal with God in Works (v19-20)

He is Equal with God in Power (v21)

There is both spiritual and physical significance here

He is Equal with God in Judgement (v22)

He is Equal with God in Honor (v23)

v24 - Call for the Pharisees to repent and trust in the declarations that Jesus just made

A Christology that does not define Jesus as God produces no salvation

V25-29 - Physical Resurrection

Remember the theme - Authority

Resurrection is the ultimate authority

Death seems to have the last say - but not with Christ

v30-47 - Witness to Jesus’ authority

v30-35: The Witness of John the Baptist (Weakest witness)

v36: The Witness of Works (Miracles)

v37-38: The Witness of The Father

The Pharisees can not know this one

v39-47: The Witness of The Word (Best For Last)

The Word contains the power of God - Think of Genesis

Your eyes can deceive you

Big Picture:

Jesus heals on the Sabbath and the Pharisees condemn Him because Jesus broke their legalistic rules

Jesus rebuttal - I’m God - I made the Sabbath so I make the rules

Jesus’ proof - Witness of John, Miracles, The Father, and Scripture

The legalism of Pharisees has nothing over the authority of Jesus -

Jesus is going to demonstrate His authority over the Sabbath and legalism two more times

Big Ideas:

1. Note that the Pharisees are completely disinterested in the miracle and completely obsessed with their rules

2. The Pharisees are more concerned with their rules than they are truth (Truth of Jesus)

3. Note that the Pharisees were more concerned with the obedience of the man to their rule than the obedience of the man to Jesus

4. Their legalism causes them to miss the blessing of the Messiah