THE JEWS PERSECUTE JESUS
Thursday – November 15, 2018, Kislev 7, 5779
Greetings and welcome back to this wonderful Bible Study from the Book of John. God is so very good to give us His wonderful Word and the Holy Spirit to guide us not only into all the Truth but empower us to do all the Truth. The featured picture is more of the beautiful October color this year. Unfortunately, when this teaching is published this scene will be leafless and quite brown as we brace for or embrace the coming winter. Now, let’s turn our attention back to the Bible Study and read our primary text aloud.
John 5:14-18 (KJV)
14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
I left off yesterday talking about the sin – sickness connection. Sin opens the door to the enemy and he only comes to bring stealing, killing, and destruction into our lives. We may be ignorant of the power of our thoughts. Scripture tells us that as a man thinks so is he. However, ignorance is not an effective long-term defense only for a short season, we have an obligation to study, believe, confess the Word, and take all corresponding actions related to the Word, all of the Word. Perhaps we are ignorant of the words of our mouth, again, no difference then our thoughts. Life and death in every area of life is in the power of the tongue. Perhaps we are ignorant of the fact that we have been given authority and have been given power (the Blessing) concerning all things in the earth including our wealth, our health, our ministry to our family and others, and so on. Perhaps we are praying for God to do things that are in our authority and God given Power to accomplish like our wealth and health. Perhaps we are ignorant of the fact that we have authority and power to subdue all things concerning the earth including things made of the earth like our bodies. Salvation has its wonderful start in ignorance but every victory after that comes out of our unwavering faith in our knowledge of the Word. Victory comes from righteous thinking, speaking, doing the Word of God (the corresponding actions), walking in love, and being led of the Spirit.
Back to our account from this fifth chapter of John. Once the man knew it was Jesus he went back to the Jews and told them it was Jesus. We are then told that the Jews not only persecuted Jesus but they wanted to kill him because He healed on the Sabbath, but wait it is about to get worse. First let’s talk about the word persecute. According to The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament synonyms for persecute include to press, distress, trouble, press, crush, to press violently, to constrain, and to set oneself against. The Scripture goes on to say they wanted to slay (kill) Him for this cause but watch Jesus is about to really tick them off.
John 5:17-18 (KJV)
17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
We Christians refer to God the Father as our father all the time and think nothing of it, however one might cry in great anguish should one refer to themselves as being in the same class of being as God, the Father. We Christians refer to ourselves freely as sons and daughters of God yet cringe at the idea we are in some way equal with God or in the same class of being. We glibly proclaim that we are the children of God. Are we saying these things in the same way as you might tell your dog or cat you’re their daddy or mommy? Of course not!! We are indeed the children of God created in His image and likeness, we are in the god class of being, we are not mammals as are dogs and cats, we are gods. We may have physical bodies that function like a mammal (in our fallen state) but we are primarily spirit being with capacities unlike all other created things either now, in eternity past, or all that is to come. Make no mistake we are not God with a big G and never will be. We will never be omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipotent but we do have the same spiritual DNA and can contain the fullness of God and that fulness can flow through and from us. If your hair is on fire or religious indignation has risen up, put out the fire, and examine the Word, then let me know where this is wrong. More tomorrow so have the fire extinguisher near at hand.
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it by faith in Jesus name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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