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The Gospel of John: John 5.16-30
Read and meditate on John 5.30.
Jesus had come not to do His own will, but the will of Him Who sent Him. The claim is not in the least cryptic: If you would stand with God, stand with Jesus.
30I can
do nothing of Myself. I understand
the things I hear, and judge; and righteous is
My judgment, for I seek not Mine but His,
that is, the will of Him Who sent Me, God
the Father.”
- John 5.30
Reflect
1. What did Jesus mean when He said He could of Himself do nothing? What was He saying about His will? His heart and mind? The use of His time? Complete the following brief prayer: Lord, let my life be consecrated to You in whole and part. Let me say with Jesus…
2. Jesus was given authority to judge all people, and He does so on the basis of what He hears. What does He hear? Can we hear this, too? Should we? Let Your Word speak powerfully to me every day Lord. And throughout the day, let me…
3. Based on all that we’ve seen thus far, why was Jesus sent by the Father? Meditate on John 20.21. For what does Jesus send us into the world? You are sending me out today, Lord, so that I might…
4. How can you tell when you are seeking your will instead of God’s? What should you do when you become aware of this? Lord, search me at all times, and make sure my heart is…
5. Jesus always judged with righteous judgment. What does that mean? That is, what makes someone’s judgment about some situation or person “righteous”? Should we be able to judge this way? Explain. Bring together into one prayer the prayers you composed from questions 1-4.
Summary
“Christ’s meaning is nothing other than this: I do not have a will different and apart from that of the Father. Rather, if [the Father] desires anything, then I do as well. If I desire it, then so does he. Since therefore no one could object to the Father judging, so neither may anyone object to me, for the sentence of each is given from the same mind.” John Chrysostom (344-407AD)
This passage is the centerpiece of an astonishing first public declaration by Jesus. In a nutshell, but in vast and sweeping terms, He asserts His deity, authority, infallibility, and sovereignty over the affairs of human beings and the cosmos. Does this match up with how we tend to think about Jesus today? Explain.
Closing Prayer
My praise shall be of You in the great assembly;
I will pay My vows before those who fear Him.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
Those who seek Him will praise the LORD.
Let your heart live forever!
All the ends of the world
Shall remember and turn to the LORD,
And all the families of the nations
Shall worship before You.
For the kingdom is the LORD’s,
And He rules over the nations.
Psalm 22.25-28
Psalm 22.26-28 (Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King)
The suff’ring King shall eat and praise with us the Lord.
Forever we His praise repeat and trust His Word.
Praise God above, all you who keep His vows and who His mercies love!
All nations shall repent and hasten to the Lord;
All those to whom His truth is sent shall praise His Word.
The Lord is King! His sovereign rule on high now we His people sing!
T. M. Moore
Visit The Ailbe Seminary, where our course, One in Twelve: Introduction to Christian Worldview, can show you how Jesus is central to all aspects of life in the world – and beyond! Our course is free, and you can study at your own pace, watching videos and using the free materials provided.
We are happy to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in our series on the Gospel of John by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.