True belief is not passive acknowledgment—it is hearing and honoring both the Father and the Son through active faith.
Key Verse:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” —John 5:24 (NASB)
Background Context:
This passage follows the healing of a man at the pool of Bethesda, which Yeshua performed on the Sabbath. The religious leaders responded not with praise, but with hostility—accusing Him of breaking the Sabbath and blasphemy for calling God His own Father. Yeshua’s response is deeply theological and unequivocal: He is equal with God and acts in perfect unity with the Father. This moment is not just about healing or the Sabbath—it is a bold declaration of divine authority, unity with God, and the promise of eternal life to all who believe.
(Continued and expanded after scripture.)
Jesus’ Equality with God
18For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
19Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. 20“For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. 21“For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. 22“For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, 23so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
24“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
Reflection on John 5:18–24:
In these verses, Yeshua makes one of the most direct claims to His divine nature: He does only what the Father does. The Son gives life. The Son executes judgment. The Son is to be honored just as the Father is. And He makes a powerful promise—those who hear His words and believe the One who sent Him are given eternal life.
Belief, in this sense, is not merely intellectual agreement. As we’ve noted before, even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19). What Yeshua is describing here is a belief that includes hearing, honoring, submitting, and trusting. It is a belief that brings transformation, moving a person from death to life, from judgment to redemption.
Yeshua’s words also confront the notion that we can honor the Father while ignoring or rejecting the Son. “He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” This is a clear and uncompromising truth that must shape how we live, how we witness, and how we worship. To truly honor God is to honor His Son with our lives, our obedience, and our faith.
Application:
Ask yourself: Do I truly hear His words and respond in faith and obedience? Am I honoring the Son in the way I live, speak, and serve? This passage reminds us not only of Yeshua’s divinity and authority, but also of His offer of life. Eternal life begins not at death, but at the moment of true belief. Let that truth anchor your faith and ignite your desire to walk closely with Him today.
Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for sending Your Son, who has made You known and opened the way for us to pass from death into life. Help us to truly hear His words and believe—not just in thought, but through obedience and faithfulness. May we honor the Son as we honor You, and may our lives reflect the transformation that comes through believing in Him. In Yeshua’s name, amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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