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JOHN - The Light Shines in the Darkness
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to John
PART 2 - Light Shines in the Darkness (John 5:1 - 11:54)
A - Second Journey to Jerusalem (John 5:1-47) -- Emergence of Hostility Between Jesus and the Jews

3. Christ raises the dead and judges the world (John 5:20-30)


JOHN 5:25-26
25 Most certainly, I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of God’s voice; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself.

Jesus makes clear that he is the Truth, in saying, "Truly, truly I say to you". He fulfils the predictions relating to his coming more profoundly than the people of the Old Testament imagined. He raised the dead. All are dead in sin and corrupt, but Jesus is the Holy One, the Son of God Incarnate, who in his body overcame sin to make us partake in his life by faith. He who gives heed today to the Gospel of salvation and understands it and clings to Jesus receives God’s life. Since the Day of Resurrection we know that our faith is the faith of life, not the religion of death and doom. Jesus puts the Spirit of his life in those who listen to him, and in those who still do not grasp his massage, but long to understand his words. In them he creates true hearing and in this way his astonishing statement becomes true, that the dead in their sins do hear. The dead cannot rise or listen of their own accord but Jesus brings life to them and so they give heed.

Our earthly life perishes, but the divine life granted us abides for ever. As Jesus put it "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes in me though he be dead, yet shall he live; and whoever lives and believes in me, shall never die."

Christ can revive us since the Father bestowed the fullness of eternal life on him. Christ is like a massive spring from which flows the water of life without ceasing. From him we receive light upon light, love upon love, truth upon truth. From him no corruption or darkness proceed, nor evil thoughts. He is full of love, as Paul expressed: Christ is compassionate and a friend does not envy or boast; he does not seek things for himself or think evil of others or rejoice over guilt. He endures all things, and is patient with all; his love never fails. This he bestowed on us by his Spirit. Let us become fountains of life.

JOHN 5:27-29
27 He also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man. 28 Don’t marvel at this, for the hour comes, in which all that are in the tombs will hear his voice, 29 and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.

Natural man is dead because of sin. Whoever does not hasten to God’s love judges himself. Christ’s words are loving, powerful and pure. Whoever listens to him and accepts him lives. At the same time his words and conduct are the rules of our lives. God commits judgment to him; he is the Holy One, tempted like us but without sin. No man will have a pretext before the divine court. Christ remains the only Person worthy of taking over universal judgment and He will decide the destiny of all mankind. Angels and all creatures will worship him.

Resurrection is sure to take place by Jesus’ command. His call will pierce our globe, the dead do not hear ordinary calls, but the Son’s voice will cause the dead to tremble. The sleeping souls will be awakened and leave their tombs. Wonder of wonders, some souls will arise as living while others as seemingly dead. There are two resurrections, one for life, the other for judgment. That hour will bring wondrous surprises, some will be shrouded in gloom, whereas we thought they were bright lights. Others will shine as the sun, while we thought they were simple and of no account!

The good folk who are alive before God were no better than the bad. But the first group were forgiven by Christ Jesus and responded thankfully. They lived in the power of his Gospel. Their lives displayed the fruits that the Holy Spirit produces. Jesus has wiped out all their blemishes by his precious blood. This grace has come to them through faith.

However, he who thinks that his own works suffice before God will hear this sentence, "You egoist why were you concerned for your own deliverance only, but did not love your enemies? Why did you not accept full reconciliation which the Crucified One effected between you and God? And how did you reject His eternal life in your being? Your pride has made you choose death so continue without the grace offered you." Those dead in sin will rise to a severe judgment, and receive a detailed account of their words, works and thoughts. Whereas he who was drawn to Christ’s glory by faith in him has love poured into him from Christ, which impelled him to merciful service which is the characteristic of eternal life today.

JOHN 5:30
30 I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous; because I don’t seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me.

Christ carries out the greatest task of all; he is the eternal Judge. Christ was aware of this authority handed him, yet he was humble, descending to the lowest degree in humility saying, "Of my own self I can do nothing." That is, I cannot judge, think, love or breathe on my own. So he gave all honor to the Father.

At all times Jesus was bound to his Father. This phone line was never interrupted between the two for God’s voice informed him about the spirits in man. God’s Spirit examines the world and tests your heart as well, disclosing your thoughts and what you conceal from others. This Spirit in Christ judges you rightly. Blessed are you if you confess your sins before God and have accepted forgiveness from the Crucified. Your name will be recorded in the Book of Life. Then to the righteous he will say, "Come you, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

Christ the Truth will not lie for he knows what is in the human breast. He knows those traits we inherit from our forefathers, and does not judge us hastily. He waits patiently for the sinner’s repentance. His holy nature will separate those who have become merciful through His mercy from those who reject His Spirit, and stay hard-hearted.

Christ showed his meekness alongside his humility. He kept asking his Father in all matters what He desired. So Christ fulfilled his Father’s will in word and deed even on the cross. At the decisive hour he prayed, "Not my will, but yours be done." He will thus dispense God’s judgments completely.

All these relationships between the Father and the Son recorded by the evangelist are aimed to ground us in the faith of Trinitarian unity. The authority for raising people from the dead belong to the Father and Son equally. God showed him all His works and did nothing disclosing it to the Son. Christ’s voice will raise the dead since he has the keys of death and hell. Our faith is a mystery to mere intellect; only if Christ’s love is poured into us with his meekness, shall we realize the reasonableness that God is One in three Persons for our salvation.

QUESTION:

  1. What is the relation between the Father and the Son as explained to us by Jesus?

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