If you hear his voice (John 5b)

John 5:16-47
Key verse 5:24

There is a Korean entertainment program that is getting popular worldwide. In the program, the guest artists attempt to guess whether each of the contestants are a skilled vocalist or tone-deaf, only by their appearances and various clues but without hearing them singing. So the program name is “I can see your voice.” How is it possible to identify skilled vocalists and tone-dead people without hearing them? So many of the guest artists fail to tell who is who, which makes this program fun. Today I am going to talk about hearing someone’s voice. But it is not entertaining like the program “I can see your voice.” Actually, it is serious and has to do with your life. I pray that God may give ears to hear this so that at the end of this message you can say, “I hear his voice.”  

In the previous passage, Jesus raised the invalid man who was as good as dead. It was the Sabbath. By curing the invalid on the Sabbath, Jesus demonstrated that he came to give life. But his miracle agitated the Jewish leaders and accused Jesus.

16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense, Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”

Knowing that Jesus cured the invalid on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. In his defense, Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at this work to this very day, and I too am working.” His defense was not to shirk from the responsibility. Instead, he seized this as an opportunity to manifest who he was, what he was doing and what it meant to them. By saying this, Jesus meant that the Father always works whether it is the Sabbath or not, so his Son too works always and did not break the Sabbath laws. Jewish rabbis agreed that God continually works to uphold the universe, yet without breaking the Sabbath. Upholding the universe is 24/7 work. But they never thought that God broke the Sabbath. Jews circumcised a baby on the eighth day of his birth even if the day was the Sabbath. So in John 7:22–23, Jesus said, “Now if a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing a man’s whole body on the Sabbath?” From even their perspective, Jesus did not break the Sabbath laws.

18 For this reason, they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

However, the Jewish leaders immediately grasped the implication of Jesus’ remark and tried all the more to kill him. It was because he not only broke the Sabbath laws but he was even calling God his own Father. His calling God his father meant that he is the Son of God so he is equal with God. To them, breaking the Sabbath laws was a serious matter. But making himself equal with God was a blasphemy that deserved death on the spot.

The rest of the passage is Jesus’ explanation of his defense. He explains why he healed the invalid on the Sabbath and testifies about himself.

The Son does as the Father does

19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

In Jesus’ time, a Jewish father taught and transferred his trade or profession to his son. The son saw and learned what his father did and then later he did the same work as his father did. For example, Jesus’ father Joseph was a carpenter so Jesus became a carpenter too. By saying this, Jesus means that since he is the Son, he does and can only do what the Father does. The reason he healed the invalid on the Sabbath was that the Father is working always to save people even on the Sabbath. In other words, his curing of an invalid man on the Sabbath was the work of God. That was God’s will and desire so Jesus followed the Father as his son.

20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these so that you will be amazed.

This verse explains why and how he does and can do whatever the Father does. It is because the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. I try to teach my children and share with them what I know and do. They may not understand what I say and do. Regardless, I do so because I love them. The Father shows the Son everything he does, even greater works than these. What are “these” then? These here refer to Jesus’ curing the invalid and also the son of the royal official, which are amazing because it is impossible to cure such people who are as good as dead.  

What are greater works than these that will amaze his opponents who are persecuting Jesus?

21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so, the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.

No doubt, Jews believed that the Father raises the dead and gives them life. For example, he resurrected the son of the widow in Zarephath and the son of the couple in Shunem. Likewise, Jesus says that the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. In fact, curing the invalid man and the son of the royal official is the precursor to the greater works that are coming.

22 Moreover, the Father judges no one but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

The Father not only has granted the Son the authority to raise the dead but also has entrusted all judgment to the Son. In other words, the son has authority to give life and condemn as well. The Son has all because the Father gives all he has. So the Son is the same as the Father. The Son represents the Father and he is God. Whoever honors the Father should honor the Son. But whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father.

So far, Jesus has defended and testified about his works based on his relation to the Father.

In regard to himself, Jesus reveals that he is the Son, a divine being, and most importantly his oneness with the Father. By using the term “the Father” and “the Son” Jesus describes his closeness to and oneness with God. John 1:1,18 read,

“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

The Father loves the Son and shows all he does. The Father has granted the Son the authority to give life and judge so that the Son may be honored. In return, the Son is submissive to the Father and does as the Father does so that the Father may be honored. This is one of the most important themes in the book of John. And this will be elaborated more in chapters 13-17.

Secondly, in regard to his work, Jesus has the authority to give life. He gives life to the dead and brings new life into the world. The people at Bethesda in the previous passage represent this lifeless world. The invalid, in particular, had no hope of life. He breathed but he was as good as dead. The day when Jesus saw him was the Sabbath. It should have been joyful but he had no hope, no rest, and no light on the Sabbath. Then Jesus cured him and restored the joy of the Sabbath in him. He was dead but he lives because of the life in Jesus. So John 1:4 reads, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.”

Whoever hears his word and believes him

24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

Now the Father has sent the Son to the world. The Son is speaking to people with the authority to give life and judge that the Father has given. Jesus is here as God and is offering eternal life. To whom? Those who hear his word and believe him who sent him.

Those who honor the Father also honor Jesus the Son. They acknowledge that Jesus has the same authority over life as the Father does. So they hear Jesus’ word as God’s word and believe God who sent him. Eternal life is given to such people.

Having eternal life means that you will not be judged at the last day when Jesus comes again. We all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (2 Cor 5:10) But we believers will not be condemned. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Ps103:12) So we have already been acquitted and will not see the second death. (Rev 2:13-14)

Eternal life is not only the life you will receive in the future. Jesus says it in the present tense, “has eternal life.” The life is eternal in that we have the Father the only true God and the Son Jesus Christ in us. (17:3) in other words, it is communion with God and joining in his eternity now.

25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.

A time is coming when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. Actually, the time has come now as Jesus the Son of God has come. This is dramatically manifested in John 11.

Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. Jesus loved them so much. But suddenly Lazarus got sick and died. When Jesus arrived, he was already in the tomb and his body was decomposing. But to Jesus, Lazarus was not finished yet. Jesus stood before the entrance of his tomb and called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” (11:43) Then the dead man came out with his body wrapped in strips of linen. When the dead man Lazarus heard Jesus’ voice, he rose to life. The dead man could not but obey Jesus’ word because Jesus has life in him and gave him life.

26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.

Jesus said in 11:25-26, “25 …I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

If you hear his word and believe, you will not be judged but have crossed over death and life. If you hear his voice, you will live now! Do you believe this?

A man lost her mom when he was still young. He saw his mom’s dead body with his eyes and that changed his life. He suffered from the fear of death and became like the invalid in the previous passage. He was fatalistic and powerless. He didn’t do much but lie in bed so his nickname was zombie. But when he heard Jesus’ word through Bible study, he changed. He got up from his powerless life and lived a meaningful life. Now he serves people as a missionary. As such, people are receiving life by hearing Jesus’ voice: “Pick up your map and walk. I am the resurrection and the life.” I am one of these people too. I was a timid boy so I was fatalistic. I thought that things did not go well with me for some reason. Then, I heard Jesus’ word spoken to the paralyzed, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5) Then I was totally changed and am serving the Lord like this.  

Jesus has authority to give life. He is the Son of God who has God’s full authority. Therefore, whoever hears his word and believes in him has eternal life now and will not be judged. He has crossed over from death to life. Amen!

27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. 28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.

Jesus says that they should not be amazed that a time is coming when the dead will hear his voice and come out. The resurrection of the dead will come to them as a great amazement. But what will amaze them more is that those who have done what is good will rise to live and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. In other words, if they accept Jesus and believe him, they will rise to life. If not, they will be judged by him. Jewish people thought that by default most of them would rise to life at the last days. But here Jesus is saying that is not the case. This is a very strong message to his opponents who are persecuting Jesus the Son of God who has the authority to judge.

30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

Jesus’ judgment is just because he judges as he hears from God and he pleases him. Jesus began his defense with verse 19: “the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” Now he repeats that with emphasis on his authority in judgment. This way, Jesus emphasizes that he does not do anything by himself but does everything as God does.

Testimonies about Jesu

31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.

Jesus says that his testimony is true because there are other witnesses to him.

First, John came as a lamp to give light to people about Jesus. He testified, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” (1:29-30) People believed him.

Second, the works Jesus is doing testify that the Father has sent him. He performed many miracles, including curing people who were incurable. All this testifies that Jesus is the Son of God.

Third, the Father who sent Jesus has testified concerning him. For example, when Jesus was baptized, heaven was opened, and the Spirit of God descended like a dove. Then a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matt 3:16-17)

Lastly, the Scriptures testifies about Jesus. The whole Scripture points to Jesus. Why then do they refuse to come to Jesus to have an eternal life though they diligently study the Scriptures?

42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

They do not have the love of God in their hearts. They like to accept glory from people not from the only God. So they will not receive life from God.

However, it is not Jesus but Moses who is accusing them. Moses said in Deut 18:15,

“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.”

In today’s passage, we have learned that Jesus is the Son of God who has authority to give life and to judge. Life comes from him. To receive life, Jesus says that we must hear his voice and believe God. Let’s read the key verse one more time.

“24 Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

The problem with the Jewish leaders was that they were not willing to hear Jesus’ word but they heard and accepted someone else, who could not give them life at all. People living in this age have the same problem. They are willing to hear someone’s voice and even believe them. They even believe all kinds of false teachings and information from the Internet. But they do not believe the word of life. They do not hear Jesus’ voice, the word of God, which gives life.

What are you hearing now? Jesus has both life and condemnation. If you hear his word and believe, you have eternal life and have crossed over from death and life. If not, you cannot but be judged. We are easily tempted and discouraged in the world. But hear Jesus’ word and you will have life. Can you hear his voice? Do you hear his word? I pray that we all may hear his voice and live a powerful life. Only Jesus has life in him and gives life to us. Amen!

By David Yun