PHOTOPHILIC

Faith In Christ Jesus:

Faith is, first, the act of considering the Lord Jesus worthy of trust as to His character and motives.  Second, it is the act of placing confidence in His ability to do just what He says He will do.  Finally, faith is a definite taking of your self out of your own keeping and entrusting your self into the keeping of the Lord Jesus.  2 Timothy 1:12 is the perfect example of all three aspects of faith:  (1) for I know whom I have believed, and (2) am persuaded that he is able to keep that which (3) I have committed unto him against that day.           We will seek to answer two questions throughout our study of the Gospel of John.  Those questions are:  What does each chapter reveal about Jesus’ character or characteristics, motives, and abilities? What does each one indicate that you could confidently commit into Jesus’ keeping?

John 5:1-15  Pool at Bethesda

                John is the only witness to record this event, having skipped over the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, a leper, blind men, and a paralytic; the raising of  Jarius’ daughter from the dead, Matthew’s conversion, and the expulsion of demons from a Gadarene man. 

                There is no mention of the disciples in John 5 because they probably had gone home to work for the summer.  Did you know that Jesus called His disciples once, and commissioned them twice?  First, they were called to believe and follow Christ prior to this chapter’s events.  Second, they were commissioned as apostles after this chapter.  Third, they were commissioned as missionaries to the world after Jesus’ resurrection.    

                John 5 records Jesus plainly showing and stating that He is the Messiah, the Christ!  After this the opposition is no longer curious or suspicious of Him, but maliciously plotting His death!  After this Jesus’ followers are not asked only to believe, but also to go forth on His behalf!  Faith was no longer a private matter, but a public declaration and life’s purpose and occupation! 

Which of Christ’s three calls have you answered?

1. The Call to Be His Disciple.

2. The Call to Be His Apostle.

3. The Call to Be His Missionary.