John 5:24-30 Life and Judgment Are Through the Son
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.”
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” Jesus has already made radical statements, essentially making himself equal with God. Now Jesus is stressing the need for his audience to listen closely and to believe in God the Father. True believers will receive everlasting life.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” These statements are interesting but also perplexing. One question is “which dead are we talking about?” Is Jesus speaking about spiritually dead people who hear Jesus, believe in God, and pass from spiritual death to life? Is Jesus referring to his eventual descent into hell, where Jesus traditionally is believed to have preached to the physically and spiritually dead? And then there is the matter of judgment. The Heavenly Father has given Jesus authority to judge both the living and the dead.
“I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” One of the things that has been difficult for Jesus’ disciples and other listeners to accept is that Jesus himself is listening to his Heavenly Father and judges as his Heavenly Father instructs him.
What’s so important about these verses? Today we have all kinds of voices to which we can listen. Social media forms proliferate frequently, and we might stay on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, X, Instagram, etc, for hours. The more time we spend in such activities, the more confused we may become, particularly if we simply open our minds to whatever appears on our smart phones and tablets. But as we are viewing indiscriminately, we are also wasting our lives.
There’s a thoughtful poem written by C.T. Studd, founder of the Worldwide Evangelism Crusade. Studd served as a missionary with China Inland Mission and then returned to Great Britan and founded WEC, serving in the Belgian Congo, now DRC, for many years.
Only One Life
“Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say ’twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to invest our lives carefully, with eternity in mind. Thank You for sending Jesus to lead us to You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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