The purpose of the Gospel of John is to know Jesus and to make Him known. This should be the theme of our lives. That we would grow closer to Jesus each and every day and that we would make Him known to a lost and dying world. As John continues to introduce his readers to Jesus, he shares the historical account of the healing of the disabled man at the pool of Bethesda. After Jesus heals the man, the Jews questioned what Jesus did because it was on the Sabbath. It is in this context that Jesus makes the argument that He and the Father are one.

                One with the Father in person. In verses 17-18 we read, “But Jesus answered them, My Father has been working until now, and I have been working. Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.”^[1] The issue concerning Jesus healing the disabled man on the Sabbath developed into a much greater issue when Jesus suggests that He and God the Father are one. The New American Commentary says, “The battle was thus joined. In fact, it was moved to a more intense level when Jesus called God his Father (5:17). The Jews recognized the argument immediately and from that point pursued him not merely for Sabbath breaking but also for blasphemy (5:18). They understood that he was not merely claiming to be a child of God in the general sense but in a very special way. Accordingly, they charged him with “making himself equal with God” (5:18).”^[2] The Gospel of John and the entire Bible supports a Trinitarian theology. That God exists as three distinct equal persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus is just as much God as the Father is. He is the incarnation of God. He is God in the flesh. He is the Word that became flesh. Concerning Jesus’ claim to be one with the Father, Warren Wiersbe writes, “Either He is what He claims to be, or He is a liar; and if He is a liar, how do you explain all the good He has done in the lives of needy people? Nobody wants to trust a liar; Jesus’ disciples were willing to die for Him.”^[3] The evidence is overwhelming. It is difficult to deny. Jesus is God. This simple, yet profound truth, is the very backbone of Christianity. If Jesus were not God, He would not have been able to perform all the miracles and speak with such authority. If Jesus were not God, He would not have been raised from the dead. Jesus is one with the Father in person, meaning that He is part of the Trinity. He is God in the flesh.

                One with the Father in power. Verses 19-21 says, “Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.”^[4] Jesus explains that He possess the same power that the Father does. He has power over life and death. He is omnipotent, all-powerful. The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, “The Son is in no way independent of or in rebellion against the Father. Their relationship is one of continuous love. The Son is not doing simply a part of God’s will; He has a full disclosure of all the Father’s works. By the Father, the Son will do even more amazing works than physical healings.”^[5] In Jesus is all the power of the Godhead. As God, He possess all power. He is the creator and sustainer of all things, therefore, He has the power over all creation. He has the power of life. He has the ability to give life to all who come to Him.

                One with the Father in purpose. Verses 22-30 reads, “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 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.”^[6] The purpose of Jesus and the Father are one and the same. It is actually more simple than it seems. The Father sent the Son to provide a way of salvation for all of mankind. The judgement of man’s sin came at the cross. Jesus gave of Himself so that all who believe in Him would be saved. Judgement is at the foot of the cross. All who go to the cross will enter eternal life with Jesus. Those who despise the cross. Those who reject Jesus. Will be rejected by God the Father and will not be granted eternal life, but rather, eternal death or separation from God. Warren Wiersbe said, “How are dead sinners raised from the dead? By hearing God’s Word and believing on God’s Son. Jesus healed the paralyzed man at the pool by His word (John 5:8). Each time He raised somebody from the dead, He spoke the word (Luke 7:11–17; 8:49–56; John 11:41–44). His Word is “living and powerful” (Heb. 4:12) and can raise sinners from spiritual death. “Everlasting life” means that they can never die spiritually again, nor can they ever come into judgment (Rom. 8:1). To hear His Word and believe means salvation; to reject His Word means condemnation (John 12:48).”^[7] The purpose of the Father is that you would be reconciled to Himself through Jesus. The cross is the bridge that reconciles God with man. Have you heard the Word? Do you believe that Word? Have you trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

                The bottom line is that Jesus, who is God in the flesh and has the power to give life, came down to earth for you. He came because He loves you. He came to reconcile you to God the Father. He came to give you life and life more abundant. Will you receive Him?

^[1] The New King James Version (Jn 5:17–18). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

^[2] Borchert, G. L. (1996). John 1–11 (Vol. 25A, p. 236). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

^[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 306). Victor Books.

^[4] The New King James Version (Jn 5:19–21). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

^[5] Blum, E. A. (1985). John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 290). Victor Books.

^[6] The New King James Version (Jn 5:22–30). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

^[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 306–307). Victor Books.