A Ready Explanation Part 2: Life-Giver & Judge

John 5:25-29

Jesus alone is the source of life and the ultimate judge.

Only Jesus can provide life. (25-26)

Timeless Truth:

Only Jesus is qualified to execute judgment. (27)

Timeless Truth:

Only Jesus matters in the end. (21-23)

Timeless Truth:

Note: Two weeks ago the For the Next Lesson questions covered John 5:19-29. This week’s questions dig a little deeper into verses 25-29 specifically.

1. Read verse 25. When Jesus speaks of the “dead” do you think He is talking about the spiritually dead, the physically dead, or both? Why do you think this? Consider John 5:24, 11:38-44, 1 Thess. 4:16. What do you think Jesus means by “an hour is coming and is now here” in the context of the entire verse (see also John 17:1-2)? How do we already experience eternal life, but not yet experience eternal life?

2. Read verses 26-27. What roles and responsibilities has God the Father given to Jesus? What do you learn about the relationship between God the Father and God the Son? Why do you think Jesus being the “Son of Man” is a reason for God to delegate these responsibilities? (See also Daniel 7:13-14.) What does the title “Son of Man” teach us about Jesus? Why is Jesus uniquely qualified to pass judgment on human beings? (See also Hebrews 4:15.)

3. Read verses 28-29. Remember that Jesus refers here to the final judgment that we sometimes call the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). Why do you think Jesus focuses here on being judged based on doing good or evil in light of John 2:23-25? How do our works and our faith interconnect or relate to each other (see Matthew 7:15-23, John 2:23-25, John 3:16, James 2:14-26)? Is it possible to be a Christian and live a life of evil (see also 1 Corinthians 3:1-4)?

4. So what? What is one thing you are taking from this study that influences your relationship with God? What is one thing you are taking away that influences how you walk through life?