In our study of Jesus, we have been looking at the passage where Jesus heals the lame man on the Sabbath. Of course, the religious Jews are outraged. But if you think they were upset about Him breaking the Sabbath, just wait until you hear His defense!

John 5:16-24

16 For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath.

17 But He answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working."

Jesus comes right out and says it – God is His Father! That makes Jesus deity! Jesus says that He is doing nothing more than obeying the Father, and they are both working on the Sabbath! Remember, the Sabbath was made for man to rest, and to have time to worship and serve God.

18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

They considered this blasphemous. You have to remember what this religious crowd believed:

They considered themselves righteous because of their works and their physical heritage.

They knew God the Father has all authority over life and death, and would resurrect the righteous to eternal life, and the unrighteous to eternal judgment. Of course, they considered themselves righteous because of their works!

This brings up a point that hopefully, you have all heard before. Perfect righteousness is required by God. What does it take to make you righteous? What is necessary for you to spend eternity in Heaven with God? Is it going to church? Giving money to church or a charity? Refraining from committing a mortal sin? Treating others kindly? Obeying the 10 Commandments? Being baptized? Making a public profession of faith? Doing more good deeds than bad? Living a good life? The whole world may agree with these requirements, but NOT GOD! As far as He is concerned, all these things are filthy rags (Isa. 64:6).

If fact, salvation is based on only one principle – “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31

Anyway, back to Jesus’ defense against the religious Jews (who had salvation all wrong, by the way!)

19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. (Again He claims coequality with God)

20 "For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel.

21 "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.

Jesus tells them, “only God raises people from the dead.” Of course, you know that Jesus is going to raise people from the dead during His ministry! Remember Lazarus? How about the only son of the widow?

Remember, the Jews believed that God would resurrect and judge all people, so look what Jesus tells them:

22 "For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son,

23 so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

Jesus is not defending Himself to judge and criticize the religious Jews. He’s not arguing with them just to prove He’s right, and they’re wrong. He’s giving them an invitation! Look at this next verse:

24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

Isn’t this typical of the grace of God? These religious Pharisees and scribes are persecuting and judging Him, trying to convict Him so that they can stone Him! They will actually send a group of Pharisees to follow Jesus and the disciples around, trying to trap Him so they can get rid of Him. But instead of attacking them (like He certainly has the power and authority to do), He gives them the gracious invitation for salvation.

We can learn a lot from this attitude of Jesus! When religious people attack you, and tell you all the things you are doing wrong, share the gracious message of salvation with them!