John 5: 19-24- The Name of Jesus

 Read John 5: 19-24- 

Jesus boldly told the Jewish leadership who He was.  He didn’t disguise His message.  It was clear.  Jesus also stated some conditions they needed to know about Him and His Father. “(22) And the Father leaves all judgment to His Son. (23) so that everyone will honor the Son just as they honor the Father.  But if you refuse to honor the Son, then you are certainly not honoring the Father who sent Him.

When people in society talk about spiritual matters, they like to use the word “faith” or “spiritual belief” or other generalized words or phrases, all designed to not raise any anxieties.  When those few do use the name of Jesus, the whole conversation changes.  It changed conversation over 2000 years ago and it really changes conversation today.  A person goes from someone who has a “strong faith” to someone more radical who freely uses the name of Jesus.  It’s okay to use the name of Mohammed.  It’s okay to use the name of Buddha.  You mention the name of Jesus and the whole environment changes.  Attitudes change for the good and the worse.  Whether people want to admit it, and the Jewish leaders certainly did not want to admit it, the name of Jesus still has the power to change people and it causes the conversations to become serious.  

Jesus continued with this, “(24) I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life.  They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.”     

 Many are running from Jesus’ message today because of the guilt about how they live their lives.  Those who see Jesus for who He is, the Son of God, no longer have to run.  They will have life. That life is with Jesus.  Remember the name.  

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