[52] The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this Man give us his flesh to eat?
[53] Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.
[54] Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
[55] For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
[56] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
[57] As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
[58] This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
[59] These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

Tried to Get To Him (vv. 52–59)

Striving means "to fight and argue." Because they were orthodox Jews, the people who heard it knew that God forbade eating human flesh or any kind of blood (Gen. 9:3–4; Lev. 17:10–16; 19:26). In John 2:19–21; 3:4; and 4:11, we see another example of people misunderstanding a spiritual truth by taking it literally. Jesus said, "You must take Me into your innermost being so that I can give you life, just as you take food and drink into your body and they become a part of you."

Some people say that Jesus was talking about the Lord's Supper and that when we eat the bread and drink the cup, we are eating His flesh and drinking His blood. I don't think Jesus meant the Communion (or Eucharist) when He said these things.

First of all, why would He talk about the Lord's Supper with a group of rude nonbelievers? He hadn't even told His own followers the truth! Why would He throw this valuable pearl to the pigs?

Second, He made it clear that He wasn't being literal (John 6:63). He was using a human example to explain a spiritual truth, just like He did with Nicodemus and the woman from Samaria.

Third, Jesus made it clear that eating and drinking were absolutely necessary for eternal life. He did not make any exceptions. If He was talking about a church ordinance (or sacrament), then everyone who hasn't done that is spiritually dead and going to hell. This would include all the saints from the Old Testament, the thief on the cross, and a lot of people who have put their faith in Christ in times of need (like in hospitals, accidents, foxholes, etc.). I can't believe that our kind God has left out everyone who can't go to a church ceremony from salvation.

The tense of the Greek verbs in John 6:50–51 and 53 is another thing to think about. It is the aorist tense, which means that something happened once and for all. The Communion service happens over and over again. In fact, it is likely that the early church had the Lord's Supper every day (Acts 2:46).
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The term "flesh" is notably absent from all accounts of the Lord's Supper, both in the Gospels and in 1 Corinthians 11:23–34. The term employed is body.

If someone thinks that our Lord was talking about the Communion service, they must think that the bread and the fruit of the vine somehow become the body and blood of Christ. He said, "so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me." (John 6:57). How does this "miracle" happen? What is the key to getting it done? Why isn't it apparent?

The gospel of John is full of symbols and pictures that show what our Lord said. Taking them literally is the same mistake that the first people who heard them made.

Jesus is giving a sermon on "the bread of life" in John 6. As the crowd listens, they are starting to murmer.

[41] The Jews then murmured at Him, because He said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
[42] And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that He saith, I came down from heaven?
[43] Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
[44] No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
[45] It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto Me.
[46] Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, He hath seen the Father.
[47] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.
[48] I am that bread of life.
[49] Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
[50] This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
[51] I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Murmuring (vv. 41–51). The religious leaders were upset when our Lord said, "For I came down from heaven" (John 6:38) because they knew it was a claim of divinity. They thought they knew who Jesus was and where He came from (see Matt. 13:53–58; John 7:40–43). Jesus was legally Joseph's son but not his biological son because He was born of a virgin (Luke 1:34–38). The leaders thought that Joseph was Jesus's real father and that Jesus was from Nazareth in Galilee, not Bethlehem in Judea. If they had looked into it, they would have found out who Jesus really is.

The Jews were known for complaining even in the days of Moses (Ex. 15:24; 17:3; Num. 14:2). Some leaders and crowd members may have gone to the synagogue to continue talking. The main question was, "Where did He come from?" Five times, Jesus said, "came down from heaven," but they didn't believe Him.

Jesus went on to explain how a sinner can get to God: through the truth of the Word (John 6:44–45). The Father uses His Word to draw the sinner to Him. Jesus used Isaiah 54:13 (or maybe Jer. 31:33–34) to show His point was, "And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; . ." God uses the Word to bring people to the Savior. (See John 5:24, which stresses the importance of hearing the Word.) The sinner hears, learns, and comes when the Father calls him. What a mystery! Yes! A blessed truth? Yes!

This was pretty much the same thing He said after He healed the man who couldn't move (see John 5:37–40). The people in the crowd wanted to see something, but what they really needed was to learn something. We "see" God and obtain the faith to come to Christ and trust Him through the Word (Rom. 10:17).

He did not state that He was precisely akin to the manna when He referred to Himself as "the Living Bread." Instead, He declared that He was even superior. The manna only kept the Jews alive, but Jesus provides life to everyone. The Jews ate the daily manna and eventually died, but if you accept Jesus Christ into your life, you will live forever. God only gave a gift when He gave the manna, but when Jesus came, He gave Himself. God didn't have to pay anything to send the manna every day, but He did have to pay a lot to send His Son. The Jews had to eat the manna every day, but the sinner who puts their faith in Christ once obtains eternal life.

You can easily see how the manna is like our Lord Jesus Christ. The Jews didn't know what the manna was. The word "manna" means "What is it?" (see Ex. 16:15). People who saw Jesus didn't understand Him. Manna came down from heaven at night, and Jesus entered this world when people were morally and spiritually lost. The manna was small (His humility), round (His eternal nature), and white (His purity). It was sweet to the taste (Ps. 34:8) and it was enough to meet the needs of the people.

God gave the manna to a people who were rebelling. All they had to do was bend down and pick it up. They walked on it if they didn't pick it up. No sinner is too far away from the Lord. The sinner only needs to be humble and accept what God has to offer.

Jesus ended this part of His message by mentioning His flesh, which will come up six more times. John 6:51 says that the Son of God will give Himself as a sacrifice "for the life of the world." A key idea in John's gospel is that Jesus Christ died in place of others. Jesus would die for the world (John 3:16; 6:51), for His sheep (John 10:11, 15), for the nation (John 11:50–52), and for His friends (John 15:12). Paul made it personal when he said, "who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). We must not put limits on what Christ did on the cross. He is the sacrifice not just for our sins, but for the sins of everyone (1 John 2:2).

[22] The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto His disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with His disciples into the boat, but that His disciples were gone away alone;
[23] (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
[24] When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither His disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
[25] And when they had found Him on the other side of the sea, they said unto Him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
[26] Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
[27] Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
[28] Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
[29] Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.
[30] They said therefore unto Him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
[31] Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
[32] Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
[33] For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
[34] Then said they unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
[35] And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.
[36] But I said unto you, That ye also have seen Me, and believe not.
[37] All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.
[38] For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me.
[39] And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
[40] And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Looking for (vv. 22–40)

​The disciples may have been impressed by the large number of people who braved a storm to see their Master, but Jesus was not. He understands the heart of man. He knew that the people had first followed Him because of His miracles (John 6:2), but now they were following Him to acquire food! There was still an opportunity they could be saved, even if they were only interested in the miracles. That is where Nicodemus started (John 3:1–2). But now they were only interested in food.

Jesus said there are two kinds of food: physical food, which is important but not the most important, and spiritual food, which is necessary. People didn't need food; they needed life, and life is a gift. Food keeps us alive, but Jesus provides us life forever. Isaiah said, " Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?" (Isa. 55:2).

People took the word "labor" and used it wrong to mean that they had to work for salvation. They totally missed the word "give" (v 27) They were very religious and thought they had to "do something" to earn eternal life. Jesus made it clear that there was only one thing that needed to be done: believe in the Savior. When someone believes in Christ, they are trusting Him to save them, not doing a good deed. Believing doesn't take you anywhere; what God does in response to our faith is what matters (see Eph. 2:8–10).

At first, the crowd was looking for Christ, but then they started looking for a sign from Him. "Because the Jews require a sign" (1 Cor. 1:22). The rabbis said that when the Messiah came, He would do the same miracle that happened with the manna (see Ex. 16). If God really sent Jesus (see John 6:29, 38, 57), then let Him show it by making manna fall from heaven. They wanted to "see and believe." But faith that is based only on signs and not on the truth of the Word can lead someone astray, because even Satan can do "lying wonders" (2 Thess. 2:8–10). Also, see John 2:18–25 and 4:48.

The quote in John 6:31 comes from Psalm 78:24, which talks about how the people of Israel didn't believe and rebelled.

Our Lord tried to help the people understand the truth better in His answer. They should stop looking at Moses and start looking at God, because it was God who gave them the manna. God used to give manna, but now the Father gives the real bread through Jesus Christ. The spiritual experience in the present goes on, even though the past event is over.

Then Jesus made it clear what the bread is: He is the Living Bread that came down from heaven. He came for the whole world, not just Israel. And He came not only to sustain life but also to give life. In this sermon, our Lord said seven times that He was "coming down from heaven" (John 6:33, 38, 41–42, 50–51, 58). This statement made it clear that He was God. The manna from the Old Testament was only a symbol of the "true bread," which is the Lord Jesus Christ.

This conversation was looking for Christ and then a sign, but soon they were looking for the "true bread" that Jesus talked about. But they weren't ready for salvation, just like the woman from Samaria (see John 4:15). She wanted the living water so she wouldn't have to go to the well all the time. The people in the crowd wanted the bread so they wouldn't have to work hard to stay alive. People still want Jesus Christ today just for the beneficial things He can do for them.

Jesus used the words "come" and "believe" in response to their rash request. These words are important in this sermon. Coming to Jesus means believing in Him, and believing in Him means coming to Him. Believing is not just an intellectual thing, like agreeing with a doctrine in your mind. It means to give yourself to Christ and come to Him. Jesus used eating and drinking to show what it means to come and believe at the end of His sermon. To come to Christ and believe in Him means to take Him in, just like you take in food and drink.

The first of seven great "I am" statements that John wrote down is in John 6:35. These statements are not found anywhere else in the Gospels. (For the other six, see John 8:12; 10:7–9, 11–14; 11:25–26; 14:6; 15:1, 5.) God showed Himself to Moses by the name I AM (Ex. 3:14). God is the one who exists on His own and "is, and ... was, and ... is to come" (Rev. 1:8). When Jesus said, "I am," He was definitely saying that He was God.

Jesus explains how to be saved in John 6:37–40. These are some of the most important truths. He has said this, and we cannot fully understand the depths of these statements. He said that salvation is based on both God's power and people's responsibility. The Father gives people to the Son (John 6:37, 39; 17:2, 6, 9, 11–12, 24), but these people must come to Him, which means they must believe in Him. He told them that no one who came to Him would ever be lost and that they would be raised on the last day. Salvation is something that even death can't take away! For more information about the "last day," see John 6:40, 44, and 54. Jesus was talking about His return and the last things that will happen to finish God's plan for people.

We can't see how divine sovereignty and human responsibility can work together because we are human and limited, but from God's perspective, there is no conflict. The Father wants sinners to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) and those who believe in Christ to be sure of their salvation. People who believe in Jesus get eternal life, and He can never lose them.

Jesus Teaches the People (6:22–71)

The sign's purpose was so that He could give the sermon. Once more, it was a ministry of "grace and truth" (John 1:17). In grace, our Lord fed the hungry, but in truth, He gave them the Word of God. They wanted the food but not the truth, and in the end, most of them left Jesus and refused to follow Him. He lost His audience after one sermon!

The next day started with a question: how did Jesus get to Capernaum? The people saw the disciples get on a boat to go across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, but then the storm hit and the men were lost. The crowd also saw Jesus leave and go to a mountain by Himself. But the next morning, Jesus and His disciples were in Capernaum! There was no proof that He had taken another boat, and He definitely hadn't walked around the lake. There were other boats that had come in, probably because of the storm, but Jesus wasn't on any of them.
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Some of the fed individuals likely returned home, while others remained to observe Jesus's next move. It is likely that our Lord's sermon started outside and then moved inside the synagogue (John 6:59). It would be impossible for a large group of people to attend the synagogue service, but those who couldn't fit inside could stay outside and listen.

This sermon on "the bread of life" is essentially a dialogue between Christ and the people, particularly the religious leaders (the Jews). In John 6, we see four ways that the crowd reacted to the Lord Jesus: they looked for Him (vv. 22–40), murmured (vv. 41–51), tried to get to Him (vv. 52–59), and left (vv. 60–71).

[15] When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take Him by force, to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone.
[16] And when even was now come, His disciples went down unto the sea,
[17] And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
[18] And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
[19] So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
[20] But He saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
[21] Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

Jesus departs from the multitude (6:15–21)

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat (Matt. 14:22; Mark 6:45) because He knew they were in danger. The crowd was now excited, and there was a push to make Him King. Of course, some of the disciples would have been happy to have the chance to become famous and powerful! Judas would have been the kingdom's treasurer, and Peter might have been made prime minister. But such an outcome wasn't what God wanted, so Jesus ended the meeting right away. If a movement had started, the Roman government would have definitely gotten involved.

Did Jesus know that a storm was on the way? Yes, of course. So why did He put His friends in danger on purpose? In fact, He was saving them from a bigger danger: being swept away by a fanatical crowd. But the storm also kept them humble. The disciples were pleased to be a part of a great miracle. They had to confront a storm and deepen their trust in the Lord. The lesson was to feed the five thousand, and the storm was the test after the lesson.

Sometimes, we find ourselves in a storm due to our failure to heed the Lord's guidance. Jonah is a good example. But occasionally the storm comes because we did what God told us to do. We can be sure that our Savior will pray for us, come to us, and set us free. John may have seen a picture of Christ and His church in this event when he wrote about it years later. We find ourselves in the midst of life's storms, striving to reach the shore, while Christ intercedes for us in heaven. One day, He will come for us, and we will be safe at the port, with all the storms behind us.

There were actually a number of miracles that happened during this event. Peter and Jesus both walked on water (Matt. 14:28–32). When Jesus calmed the storm, the boat was on the other shore right away. Of course, the events all happened at night, so only Jesus and His followers knew about it. Jesus led His people into the green pastures (John 6:10) and then into the still waters (Ps. 23:2). What a wonderful Shepherd He is!

As you read the gospels, keep in mind that our Lord was never impressed by the large crowds. He knew that their reasons for following Him weren't good and that most of them did so to see His healing miracles. Rome's method of maintaining public contentment was through "bread and circuses." Similarly, contemporary society often finds satisfaction in such a diet. They are satisfied if you provide them food and fun. Rome paid for public games for ninety-three days each year. It was less expensive to keep the crowds entertained than to fight them or put them in jail.

We should never let the fact that some people today think Jesus Christ is "popular" fool us. Not many people want Him to be their Lord and Savior. People only want Him to heal, provide or help them out of self-made trouble. "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life." (John 5:40).

JESUS LOSES HIS FOLLOWERS

John's gospel is selective (John 20:30–31), so he doesn't write down everything that happened in Jesus' life that helps us understand Jesus' purposes. There are a lot of things happening between the healing of the paralyzed man (John 5) and the feeding of the five thousand. Some of these things are talked about in Luke 6:1–9:10 and Mark 3:1–6:30. During this time, our Lord preached "the Sermon on the Mount" (Matt. 5–7) and told the parables of the kingdom (Matt. 13).

The miracle of feeding five thousand people is so momentous that all four gospels document it. A large group of people had been following Jesus for days, listening to Him teach and seeing Him perform miracles. Jesus had tried to "get away" to rest, but the people kept bothering Him (Mark 6:31–34). He cared about the people, so He helped them in three different ways.

[1] After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
[2] And a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His miracles which He did on them that were diseased.
[3] And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.
[4] And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
[5] When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
[6] And this He said to prove him: for He Himself knew what He would do.
[7] Philip answered Him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
[8] One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto Him,
[9] There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
[10] And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
[11] And Jesus took the loaves; and when He had given thanks, He distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
[12] When they were filled, He said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
[13] Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
[14] Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

Jesus Gives Food to the Many (6:1–14)

The readily identifiable problem was how to meet the needs of so many people. Four options were suggested.

The disciples first told Jesus to send the people away (Mark 6:35–36). Get rid of the problem (see Matt. 15:23). However, Jesus understood that if the hungry individuals were not provided with sustenance, they would likely faint during their journey. It was evening (Matt. 14:15), which wasn't a good time to travel.

Philip came up with the second solution in response to our Lord's "test question" (John 6:5): raise enough money to buy food for the people. Philip "counted the cost" and figured that they would need the same amount of money as two hundred days' work. And even that wouldn't be enough bread to feed all the men, women, and children (Matt. 14:21). We think too often that money can fix everything. Jesus was just testing Philip's faith, of course.

Andrew came up with the third solution, but he wasn't sure how it would work. He found a little boy who had a small lunch of two fish and five barley cakes. Andrew is once again busy bringing someone to Jesus (see John 1:40–42; 12:20–22). We don't know how Andrew met this boy, but we're glad he did! Andrew isn't a big deal in the Gospels, but he was apparently a "people person" who helped people with their problems.

The fourth answer came from our Lord, and it was the right one. He took the little boy's lunch, blessed it, broke it into pieces, and distributed it to His disciples, who then fed the entire crowd. The Savior, not the disciples, did the miracle. He made more food, and they were only happy to give it out. The people were not only fed and happy, but the disciples also saved twelve baskets of leftovers for later use. The Lord didn't waste anything.

The lesson is clear: when you need something, give it all to Jesus and let Him take care of the rest. Start with what you have, but make sure you give it all to Him. The boy should be praised for sharing his lunch with Christ, and the boy's mother should be praised for giving him something to give to Jesus. Jesus valued that little snack just as much as the expensive ointment that was poured out (John 12:1ff).

But did Jesus really do a miracle? Maybe the boy's kindness made the other people feel ashamed so they took out their secret lunches and shared them with everyone. That's not true! Jesus knew what was in the hearts of men (John 2:24; 6:61, 64, 70), and He said that the people were hungry. He must have known that there was food hidden! Also, the people said this was a miracle and even wanted to make Him King (John 6:14–16)! If such an event had only been caused by mass psychology, the crowd wouldn't have acted that way. John would not have chosen this event as one of the "signs" if it were not a genuine miracle.

It is important that John mentioned twice that Jesus gave thanks (John 6:11, 23). Matthew, Mark, and Luke all say that Jesus looked up to heaven when He said thank you. He did that to remind the hungry people that God is the source of all good and necessary gifts. Instead of complaining about what we don't have, we should thank God for what we do have. He will make it last longer.

[30] I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me.
[31] If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true.
[32] There is another that beareth witness of Me; and I know that the witness which He witnesseth of Me is true.
[33] Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
[34] But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
[35] He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
[36] But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given Me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father hath sent Me.
[37] And the Father Himself, which hath sent Me, hath borne witness of Me. Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
[38] And ye have not His word abiding in you: for whom He hath sent, Him ye believe not.
[39] Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.
[40] And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life.
[41] I receive not honour from men.
[42] But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
[43] I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
[44] How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
[45] Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
[46] For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me.
[47] But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe My words?

This historical beginning in Jesus' public ministry has a third and final act that I will call Jesus' claims. 

Third Claim: He said that there are credible witnesses who back up His claim to be God (vv. 30–47).

In John's gospel, the word "witness" is very important; it is used forty-seven times. Jesus did testify on His own behalf, but He was aware that they would not accept it, so He summoned three additional witnesses.

The first witness was John the Baptist (John 5:30–35), who the religious leaders had questioned thoroughly (John 1:15ff.). Our Lord actually pointed the rulers back to the testimony of John the Baptist right before He died (Matt. 21:23–27). John knew who Jesus was and told the people of Israel what he knew. John said that Jesus was the Lord (John 1:23), the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36), and the Son of God (John 1:34).

John was a "burning and shining lamp" (Jesus is the Light, John 8:12), and the Jewish people were very interested in what he was doing. But their excitement faded, and no one tried to save John when Herod arrested him. The leaders considered John to be a "local celebrity" (Matt. 11:7–8), but they didn't want to hear his message of repentance. The publicans and sinners accepted John's message and changed their ways, but the religious leaders did not (Matt. 21:28–32).

When God raises up a spiritual leader who attracts a lot of attention, there is always the risk of drawing people who want to be around him but don't want to follow his orders. A "mixed multitude" followed Moses and Israel out of Egypt. These were people who were impressed by the miracles but didn't give in to the Lord. The prophets, apostles, and great church leaders all had to confront people who were shallow and followed the crowd but didn't follow the truth. We have them in churches now.

The second witness to our Lord was His miracles (John 5:36). You will remember that John chose seven of these "signs" to show that Jesus is the Son of God (John 20:30–31). Jesus said clearly that the things He did were the same as the things the Father did (John 5:17–20; 14:10). Nicodemus had to agree that the miracles our Lord did showed that He was "sent from God" (John 3:2).

The Bible also tells of miracles done by regular people like Moses, Elijah, and Paul. Do these miracles show that they are also sent by God? Yes, they do (see Heb. 2:3–4), but none of these men ever said they were the Son of God. No servant of God who could do God's wonderful works would ever say that they were God. The fact that Jesus said this, along with His outstanding works and perfect life, shows that what He said is true.

Jesus said that the Father gave Him a certain job to do while He was on earth. "I have finished the work which thou gavest Me to do." (John 17:4). He was not only on a divine schedule; He also followed a divine plan. He had certain tasks to complete in accordance with the Father's will. The Old Testament law said that there had to be two or three witnesses (Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6). The Lord met that requirement by giving three reliable witnesses.

The Word of the Father (John 5:37–47) was the third and last witness our Lord called. The Jews held the written Word of God in great esteem, especially the law given through Moses. Moses heard God's voice and saw God's glory, but we can hear and see that same voice and glory in the Bible (see 2 Peter 1:12–21). People who received and kept the Old Testament Scriptures were blind to their Messiah, even though those Scriptures testify to Jesus Christ. Why?

For one thing, they did not let that Word abide in them (John 5:38). John 5:39 is likely a factual assertion telling them that they examine the scriptures, for in them you think you possess eternal life. The Jewish scribes wanted to know the Word of God, but they didn't know the God of the Word. They counted the letters in the text, but they didn't see the spiritual truths that were there.

These Jewish leaders' minds were not right because they could not see Christ in their Scriptures (see 2 Cor. 3:14–18; 4:3–6). But their wills were also wrong: they wouldn't put their faith in the Savior. They refused to accept Christ because they lacked the Word in their hearts. They thought they were virtuous Christians, but they weren't.

These leaders had another problem: they didn't care about anyone. They did not have the love of God in their heart (John 5:42). This behavior means that they only feel God's love for them and show their love for God. They said they loved God, but the way they treated Jesus Christ showed that their love was fake.

Their attitude toward God's Word hurt their faith, but so did how they felt about themselves and each other. The Pharisees liked it when people honored them (see Matt. 23:1–12), but they didn't look for the honor that comes only from God. They did not respect the Son (John 5:23) because He did not respect them! They turned down the real Son of God, who came in the name of the Father. One day, they will accept a false messiah, the Antichrist, who will come in his name (John 5:43; see also 2 Thess. 2; Rev. 13). If we turn down what is true, we will eventually acquire what is false.

Our Lord ended this powerful sermon by telling the Jewish leaders that Moses, whom they respected, would be their judge, not their savior. One day, the same Scriptures they used to defend their faith would speak out against them. The Jews were aware of what Moses wrote, but they didn't truly believe it. We may possess the Word in our minds or in our hands, but it is an entirely different matter to have it in our hearts. The written Word testifies to the Incarnate Word, which is Jesus (John 1:14). "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself." (Luke 24:27).

John the Baptist's testimony, the divine miracles, and the Word of God all confirm that Jesus Christ is one with the Father and the Son of God.

The religious leaders' accusations didn't scare our Lord. You can see that after the events in John 5, Jesus broke the Sabbath deliberately again if you look at a harmony of the Gospels. He let His followers pick grain on the Sabbath and healed a man with a withered hand (Matt. 12:1–14). These things probably happened in Galilee, but the leaders in Jerusalem and Judea would have heard about them.

The healing of the man on the Sabbath would be brought up again (John 7:21–23). The leaders would keep protecting tradition instead of trying to understand the truth (see Mark 7:1–13). Maybe we should look at our lives and churches before we judge them. Are we letting our religious traditions keep us from seeing the truth in God's Word? Are we so focused on "Bible study" that we can't see Jesus Christ in the Word? Does knowing the Bible make us feel "big-headed" or "burning-hearted"?

[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
[25] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
[26] For as the Father hath life in Himself; so Hath he given to the Son to have life in Himself.
[27] And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man.
[28] Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice,
[29] And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Today, we discover the second of three claims Jesus makes in this early part of His earthly ministry. 

Second Claim: He said he had the power to bring the dead back to life (vv. 24–29).

Jesus said "verily, verily" again before His words (see John 5:19, 24–25). You will find Jesus using this serious way of speaking more than twenty times in John's gospel. It was as if He was saying, "Listen to this! . . . What I'm going to say is very important!"

In this interesting paragraph, Jesus talked about four different resurrections. He described the resurrection of lost sinners to eternal life (see John 5:24–25; Eph. 2:1–10). The sinner who is lost is as dead and helpless. No matter how an undertaker gets a body ready, it is still dead, and no corpse is "deader" than any other corpse. If you're dead, you're dead! The sinner who is lost can't save himself, and he definitely can't give himself life.

How do people who are spiritually dead come back to life? By listening to God's Word and putting your faith in His Son. Jesus healed the man who couldn't move at the pool with His Word (John 5:8). He spoke God's Word every time He brought someone back to life (Luke 7:11–17; 8:49–56; John 11:41–44). His Word is "living and powerful" (Heb. 4:12) and can bring sinners back to life. "Everlasting life" means they can never die spiritually again or be condemned (Rom. 8:1). To hear and believe His Word leads to salvation; to reject it leads to condemnation (John 12:48).

The second resurrection is the one that happened to our Lord (John 5:26). Our life comes from something else, but His life is "in Himself." John 1:4 says, "In Him was life." He is "the Prince of life" (Acts 2:24; 3:15), so the grave could not hold Him. Jesus gave up His life and then took it back (John 10:17–18). He can give life to everyone who trusts Him because He has life in Himself.

The third resurrection is the future resurrection of life, when people who believe in Jesus are brought back to life (John 5:28–29a). 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15 explain this miraculous truth. Remember that resurrection is not the same as reconstructing. It doesn't mean that God "puts the pieces back together again." The resurrection body is a new, glorified body that is perfect for the new heavenly environment. For the believer, death is not the end, and he will not live in heaven as a spirit without a glorified body. God saves the whole person, body and all (Rom. 8:23; Phil. 3:20–21). When Jesus Christ comes back in the air and calls His people will experience this resurrection of life.

The fourth resurrection He talked about is the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:29b). This resurrection is only for the lost, and it will happen right before Jesus Christ brings in the new heaven and the new earth (Rev. 20:11–15). What an amazing thing it will be when the dead, "small and great," stand in front of Jesus Christ! The Father has given the Son the power to judge (John 5:22) and has given Him the power to carry out that judgment (John 5:27). Today, Jesus Christ is the Savior, but one day He will be the Judge.

The title “Son of man” used in John 5:27 refers to Daniel 7:13–14 and is a definite messianic title. It appears twelve times in John's gospel and more than eighty times in all four gospels. The Jews knew this title from Daniel, and they knew Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah and Judge.

Believers will receive resurrection bodies to reign with Christ in glory. Unbelievers will be given resurrection bodies—but not glorified bodies—that they might be judged and then suffer eternal punishment in those bodies. Bodies that were used for sin will suffer the consequences.

The fact that Jesus has the authority to raise the dead is proof that He is equal with the Father, and therefore He is God.