John 5:16-47

               After Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, the holy day of rest, the Jewish Leaders had a desire to kill Jesus. Jesus responds by explaining that He is equal to God.

“Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working’ for this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; 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, NIV 84).

               Later in this chapter, Jesus talks about the message He preaches. In verse 24, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” (John5:24, NIV 84). The words that Jesus spoke are more than just a fun sermon you will hear on Sunday, they are the way to eternal life! The words in Scripture are not my words, but the words of Jesus. Are hearing the words He is sharing with you?

               Some of the words Jesus speaks can be confusing or difficult to follow. But we should not get discouraged by the message of Jesus. We should be encouraged by the words of Christ. Do not just leave Christ because the message is confusing, or difficult, or challenging to apply. If you are struggling to understand the message of Jesus Christ, I encourage you to keep reading and to understand what Jesus is saying, because these words are not simply encouraging words. But these are words that will save your life.