Honor the Son

Introduction

We live in an informational age. There is more information available to us now than has ever been available in the history of the world. The amount of information will continue to rise. Unless something happens, we are not going backwards. With continued investment in the Internet, more and more information will be available to us. Part of the problem is that with so much information available, we have a hard time knowing which part of the information is accurate. Just because it is on the Internet doesn’t mean that it is accurate. With the political season in full swing, it is obvious that politicians participate in “selective information.” The negative side of a foe’s record is highlighted while ignoring the reasons for votes or the motivation behind thinking. All of this at times can be overwhelming.

What is accurate? What are we supposed to believe? How do we know if we are getting enough information? And how do we know if the information we have is truthful? God through Moses established a way to know truth. In Deuteronomy 17 and 19, God demanded that a single witness would not be accepted as trustworthy. Two or three witnesses were needed to verify a story or accusation. The witnesses had to tell the same story; the witnesses had to be fully examined and found to be credible. A witness who lied was to be killed. There was to be no tolerance for a person who would try to indict another using false testimony.

Just because it was said didn’t make it true. Numerous witnesses were needed to verify the information. After healing the man who had been lame for 38 years, Jesus finds himself in the same situation. The religious leaders are looking for someone to verify the truthfulness of the information. Who is this person who not only healed but had the audacity to do so on the Sabbath? These leaders want some answers and they are not willing to let this issue pass without some answers. John allows us to hear from Jesus. As this trial continues to unfold, in our text Jesus takes the stand and offers a piece of testimony. It is powerful. It is convicting. You must decide if it is believable.

Response

The man who had been healed goes to the religious authorities and turns Jesus in as the one who has healed him. This results in Jesus being persecuted. Jesus’ initial response is to make the point that God didn’t stop working on the Sabbath. Since God continues to work then he, too, must continue working. It was commonly held that God’s resting on the Sabbath at the end of the creation did not mean that he was through working. It was believed that God continued to work. With that statement there is no argument. It is the fact that Jesus says he does what his “Father” does.

As verse 18 reveals, the religious leaders understood the intent of Jesus’ statement. He was making himself equal to God. No wonder they tried to kill him. Such blasphemy could not be tolerated. These religious leaders were thinking about their need to protect God, their faith, and their practices. To call God “my father” was too familiar. In their minds it was bad enough to heal on the Sabbath but now Jesus was making himself equal with God.

So Jesus takes the witness stand. In this long monologue, he makes several points:

He has the power of life and judgment just like God. Only God could bring life out of death and only God can judge human beings for eternity. Jesus says that God has entrusted these things to him as well. In fact, Jesus says that no one should be amazed as such a claim because these religious leaders believed in the resurrection from the dead and a time of judgment for eternity. Jesus is making the point that this is God’s doing and God has chosen to give this same responsibility to Jesus.

Jesus operates fully within the will of God. In verse 30, Jesus testifies that he is not some wild maverick. He is fully and completely doing what God has instructed him to do. He is doing those things that please God.

Jesus knows that his testimony is not sufficient. He understands additional witnesses are needed to verify his words. He offers several additional witnesses—God, John the Baptizer, his works, the Scriptures, and Moses. These witnesses are quickly brought to the forefront. In effect Jesus is saying, “you guys heard John talk about me, look at what I am doing, read the scriptures and remember what they teach about the Messiah, and God endorses what I am doing.” But it is the final witness that makes the point.

In between Deuteronomy 17 and 19 in which two to three witnesses are needed to verify the information is a text which the Jews revered. In Deuteronomy 18:15-22, Moses foretold of a prophet who was to come who would come like Moses. He would come to lead the people to God. The people were to listen to him. How would they know that what he spoke was filled with truth? If what he says doesn’t happen, then they will know that God isn’t behind this prophet.

The healing of the lame man should have been proof enough that God was behind Jesus’ actions. But instead of belief there is disbelief. This is persecution and rejection.

Your Response

We live in a world of skepticism. Rightfully so. It’s hard with all the information being passed around these days to know what is real and what isn’t real. If you have regular access to the Internet, then you know about the dreaded “Urban Legends.” These are stories that get passed around wanting the recipient of such stories to keep the stories going. Hundreds exist. One of my favorites is the Madelyn Murray O’Hair story. About three decades ago, Ms. O’Hair tried through every means available to her to destroy the influence of Jesus in our culture. She succeeded in taking prayer out of schools. Of course, many if not most teens pray before a major test. Circulating over the years has been the Urban Legend that Ms. O’Hair was trying to keep religious programming off the airwaves. It isn’t a true story but it continues to circulate. The FCC has grown weary of the story. Several years ago at a seminar, the participants in the seminar were encouraged to keep this untruthful story from circulating. The FCC at that time was so weary with the thousands of calls and letters that they were ignoring real media issues that were offensive.

A healthy dose of skepticism keeps us from being duped. And it is with that same skepticism that we come to Jesus. Our minds hear his words and in our hearts we say “prove it.” We want something more. We want something personal. What would it take to convince you that Jesus is being truthful? How many more witnesses would be needed? I am confident that I am speaking to people who believe that Jesus is who he claims to be, but the dose of skepticism leads you to live cautiously rather than victoriously. I am talking to some who hold back. The testimony lines up; the witnesses are credible; the words make sense, but each day is an adventure in trying to make life more meaningful for self rather than living victoriously for God. Will you come in faith?

Follow Jesus

If you’d like to respond to this message or learn more about following Jesus, please reach out.