DIVINITY OF CHRIST part 2
Dialogues in John's Gospel (Jn 5:17-18; Jn 10:27-33; Jn 8:56-58)
This is part 2 of the sermon series Divinity of Christ.
The last sermon highlighted Jesus' deity as revealed in the prologue of John’s Gospel Account. Obviously, that truth is not limited to the opening chapter but runs throughout John's writing. Time and again, the Gospel records dialogues where Jesus speaks plainly about His divine identity. The Jews clearly understood what He was claiming — that He was making Himself equal with God. Their reaction was consistent: they picked up stones to kill Him for what they saw as blasphemy. This study will look closely at three passages where the Lord made assertions of His divinity. The response of the Jews was consistent; they wanted to kill Him.
Equal with God
In one of the dialogues, the Lord Jesus made a striking declaration that would inspire murderous intentions. After healing a man on the Sabbath, He stirred Jewish wrath. But He would respond by stating, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” Christ’s justification of working on the Sabbath is His relationship with the Father. The listeners wanted to kill Him because Jesus was making Himself equal with God.
17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” 18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God (John 5:17-18).
The Jewish leaders did not misunderstand. They would want to kill anyone who would make that stand. His work of healing on the Sabbath offended the Jews. There is no need for clues. But His additional words gave them one more reason to kill. His claim to divinity became a stronger reason, and they would have their fill at the crucifixion. But that was part of God’s plan; the Jews would kill the one who claimed to be more than man, the One who claimed to be equal with God.
God rested from His work of creation, but He continued His work of providence and governance. His rest from creation serves as an example for humans, who need rest after six days of labor. However, God does not require rest to function, for He is self-sufficient and does not get tired.[1]
Gems in the text
1. The Lord Jesus claimed the right to work on the Sabbath just as His Father continually works.
2. The Jews understood this as a claim to equality with God, which is why they sought to kill Him.
3. Jesus did not deny or correct their understanding, affirming that He truly claimed equality with God.
Make Yourself God
The Jews tried to stone Jesus because He claimed to be God, a claim they saw as blasphemy. According to their law, blasphemy demanded death by stoning.[2] But Jesus wasn’t making Himself God; He is God. His works confirmed it, and His resurrection proved it. But the Jews did not know that.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” 33 The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God” (John 10:27-33).
The immediate context concerns the sheep that the Father would give to the Son. The Good Shepherd gives them eternal life, an act that only God can perform.[3] Only the one who could defeat death could give eternal life.[4] He explained that the Father is greater than all, that no one could snatch the sheep from the Father’s hand.[5] Then the clincher: I and the Father are one. Thus, Christ is also greater than all.
Being one does not mean being the same person, but being one in essence and purpose. For those interested in Greek grammar. Carson explained that the word one (hen, neuter) is used rather than the masculine heis. It proves they are not one person but distinct.[6] The context shows they share the same power to give eternal life and preserve the sheep, which reflects that they have the same essence.
Gems in the text
1. Jesus claimed unity with the Father, which the Jews understood as making Himself God. Thus, they wanted to stone Him for blasphemy.
2. The Lord Jesus said that He gives the sheep eternal life. Only God is powerful enough to grant such a gift. Thus, He is making Himself equal with the Father in power and purpose.
3. No one can snatch away the sheep from the Lord because His Father is greater than all. Jesus and the Father are one, making Jesus greater than all.
Before Abraham, I AM
The Jews picked up stones to throw at Him because they believed that Jesus committed blasphemy. Jesus claimed to be older than Abraham. Moreover, He claimed to be the I AM. For the Jew, it is saying, “I am God.” The I AM is the sacred name of God made known to Moses.[7]
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:56-58).
Jesus did not claim that He was a lesser being than God. The Lord claimed that He existed before Abraham, but more than that, He claimed to be YHWH by claiming the I AM.[8] The Jews wanted to stone Him to death to abide by the Law of Moses. Blasphemy is punishable by death through stoning.[9]
Anyone who says that Jesus never said, “I am God,” clearly does not understand the historical and cultural context of the time. Jesus mentioned that He had existed before Abraham, meaning He existed before His birth (incarnation) and before Moses. Such words from the Lord are a comfort to all who believe. Because He is God, He is powerful enough to save our souls.[10]
Gems in the text
1. The Lord Jesus existed before Abraham, which means before His birth, which proves the incarnation.
2. Jesus said that He is God by saying that “before Abraham was, I AM.” He expressed His claim to divinity.
3. The Jews understood what He meant, and that was why they wanted to kill Him.
Application
1. Believe in the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Proclaim the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Defend the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ.
An expanded study guide is in the attached English manuscript, which you can download below.
Poem
NOT BLASPHEMY by Ed Pilapil Jr. Before Abraham was, I AM The one who said that was the Lamb Jesus and the Father are one Proclaimed by none other than the Son The Jews thought it was blasphemy Then they picked up stones to stone Him They felt justified to kill Him But the truth is not blasphemy Eternal life comes from the Son With the Father’s will, He is one To be the sacrificial Lamb And to introduce the I AM
Study Guide
1. What did Jesus reveal about Himself in the three passages?
2. Why did the Jews want to kill Jesus? Why was this response consistent?
3. How can I recognize Jesus’ authority as fully equal with God in my life and worship?
An expanded study guide is found in the attached English manuscript.
Notes
[1] Arthur W. Pink, The Gospel of John (Arthur Pink Collection Book 29) (Function), Kindle edition.
[2] Lev 24:16.
[3] 1 Sam 2:6 and Deut 32:39.
[4] Jn 10:28.
[5] Jn 10:29.
[6] D.A. Carson, The Gospel According to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991), 394.
[7] Ex 3:14.
[8] Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology: In One Volume (Bastion Books, 2021), 541.
[9] Lev 24:16.
[10] John Charles Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of John [Annotated, Updated]: A Commentary (Aneko Press, 2019), 155-156.
Bibliography
Carson, Donald A. The Gospel According to John. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
Geisler, Norman L. Systematic Theology: In One Volume. Bastion Books, 2021.
Pink, Arthur W. The Gospel of John. Arthur Pink Collection Book 29. Function. Kindle edition.
Ryle, John Charles. Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of John [Annotated, Updated]: A Commentary. Aneko Press, 2019.
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