Nothing heightens the power of Christ’s Deity more than the fifth chapter of John’s Gospel. It’s here where God establishes Jesus as the judge over His kingdom. And in those scriptures, they remove the confusion over God’s real truth—Jesus the Supreme Ruler.

As we continue looking at John’s Gospel its obvious Christ and God are the same. In his first four chapters, he captured their inseparable alignment.

John’s Gospel begins with Jesus’ existence at the time of creation and His manifestation into flesh (John 1:1-18). Then he reveals Christ as the Lamb of God (John 1:29-34).

Next, John shows us the origin of Discipleship (John 1:35-51), followed by a miracle (John 2:1-12). Another significant highlight is Jesus’s purification of God’s Temple (John 2:13-22). And the 2^nd chapter ends with Christ’s uncanny ability in understanding man’s heart (John 2:23-25).

Chapters three and four show other examples of the parallel between Jesus and God. Here John unveils Christ’s supernatural powers by unfolding the Lord’s plan for a rebirth (John 3:1-21), and Jesus role as the Godhead (John 4:1-14).

The Pharisee Evil Plot

In John’s fifth chapter he starts with Jesus healing a cripple man. This miracle done on the Sabbath day stirred up controversy amongst the Pharisees. And this started the Jewish leaders plot to kill Christ because in their minds Christ disregarded Moses law (John 5:16).

In verses 10-12 John unwraps the disrespect the Pharisees had for Jesus. They viewed this event in a negative way. Instead of rejoicing and praising God they twisted it into a way of rejecting Christ. Their reaction captures a self-righteous approach in interpreting God’s word.

In fact, God’s timing to deliver Christ to the world exposed the Pharisees disbelief. The Lord became intolerable to their lack of faith because they hid behind Moses’s teaching and led others to a dead faith. Their refusal to accept the Messiah led them to self-destruction.

Christ Faithfulness

In this chapter, Christ smashed their beliefs by uncovering His faithfulness to God (John 5:19). Its main theme is to illuminate the Lord and Christ as one. The Prophets foretold this doctrine, and they didn’t remember God’s promise of a Messiah.For this reason Jesus removed them from heaven.

It’s important to realize God gave Christ the power to judge and put right His children from a wrong interpretation of His Word. As noted above the Pharisees engulfed themselves in Moses writings but became blind to the real meaning of scripture, their mentor tried to impose on the Israelites (John 5:26).

The key focus in verses 16-23 is the way Jesus relied on God. Here we catch a perfect example of His intercession with the Lord and sets up the first two parts of the Holy Trinity. Christ illustrates the Father’s plan for Him to judge the living and the dead. Here the power of salvation takes shape.

Jesus God’s Voice

Verses 24-30 of the chapter leaves no doubt of the power God gave Christ (John 5:29). This defines God’s New Covenant because it unearths Christ as His redeemer.

Jesus confronted them with God’s truth and set right their spiritual arrogance (John 5:27). In this section of Scripture, we see Christ speak for God and put right them with the Lord’s real message of faith. The first thing to remember is believing in Jesus as the Son of Man is favorable in God’s eye. Here our Messiah shatters their distrust in Him by attacking the way they understand God’s word.

Verse 30 gives a most compelling evidence to Christ Deity.

I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge: and My judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent me.                                                                                                                                                 John 5:30

This scripture intertwines Christ with God and places Him together with the Holy Spirit. It pinpoints Jesus direct link with God. John elevates the Messiah oneness with God and teaches us the significance

Christ Discredits the Pharisees Knowledge of Moses

The last 17 verses continue Christ’s correction of God’s word. He reemphasizes Himself as God’s Son (John 5:31-37) and shows their hardened hearts (John 5:38-44). His stern speech erases centuries of impaired vision from understanding the Lord’s law.

Since the Pharisees accepted Moses but didn’t receive Christ, He called them out by exploiting their spiritual pride. Jesus brought Moses revelations to light and used them to bring forth their unfavorable faith (John 5:45). Another key point in those verses is Jesus revelation of their lack of love to God (John 5:42). He held nothing back and spoke boldly.

When I meditate over this chapter, it helps me understand God’s way of believing in Christ. I’m able to grasp Christ message and put my faith in His hands. It draws me closer to the Lord and aligns my will with Christ.

Given these points, it opens our eyes to the real markings of a believer in Jesus. The more we rely on Christ our consciousness with God increases. And to experience God’s living Spirit allows us to live in a world riddled with disbelief.