NOTES for Joh 5:17-29

We have now heard that Jesus called God His own Father, and that this meant He had declared Himself equal to Him. The Evangelist testified that Jesus spoke about Himself in this way before everyone, and he also testifies that for these words people sought to kill Him, accusing Him of blasphemy. 'Family' terminology is often understood simplistically, tempting many to liken the relationship between the Father and the Son to the relationships between parents and children in human families.

From the ancient Arians to today's Jehovah's Witnesses stretches a long succession of people who find it hard to imagine that the Son could be equal to the Father and one with Him. Human language is limited, but Christ makes it possible to see what is revealed beyond words. The heavenly Father has entrusted all judgment to the Son, who was sent into the world not to judge it but to save it (John 3:17). Here we will inevitably encounter one of the apparent contradictions if we imagine His judgment to be like human judgment. But perhaps we should liken His judgment to a test of strength, of the ability to receive the gift God wants to bestow on everyone—eternal life.

The eternal life God gives is not mere immortality: far from Him, that could amount to a wretched existence in a bad infinity. No, it is fullness of life, different in quality and not merely in quantity from anything one can imagine—a perfect life. The fact that it has already been given to those who have believed means that it is not a reward to be bestowed one day for exceptional merit, but a gift already offered to us all. We can receive it by turning to the Son and acknowledging Him as our Savior.