Jesus Calls His First Witness

John 5:36-38 & Galatians 5:1, 13

5:36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. ³⁷ And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, ³⁸ and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.”

5:1, 13 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery … ¹³ For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Questions to consider about John 5:36-38 & Galatians 5:1, 13:

1. In 5:36, Jesus calls His 3^rd witness: “the very works that I am doing.” What do you think Jesus means by this? Which works?
2. What’s the difference between miracles and signs? What sets Jesus’ miracles apart from those claimed by false prophets and fakes both then and now? Can you think of seven differences?
3. How are the works that Jesus expects His followers (US!) to be doing similar to the works He Himself did?
4. In 5:37, Jesus calls His 4^th witness: “the Father who sent Me has Himself borne witness about Me.” What specifically do you think Jesus is referring to? When did the Father do this?
5. What is freedom as it is biblically defined? How does the biblical idea of freedom stand in contrast to the world’s definition of it?
6. How can freedom misused actually enslave us?
7. Read John 8:31-34. What does it teach us about freedom? What does Jesus say leads to true freedom?
8. Read Romans 6:6-22. What does Paul mean by saying “one who has died has been set free from sin” (6:7a)? What does it mean to “consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (6:11)? Is freedom release from slavery? Or is true freedom simply a change of masters (cf. 6:18, 22)?
9. What would Paul say to those today (even Christians!) who say, “We can do anything we want to”? (1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:23)