THE CLAIMS OF JESUS

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. A successful businessman was coerced by a friend into visiting 
      an art gallery.
      1. He spent some time "tagging along" as his friend studied,   
         with enthusiasm and great appreciation, the works of the    
         masters.
         a. All the time the business man was just bored to tears.
         b. Finally, as they departed, he stated to an attendant, "In
            my opinion, this has all been a waste of time.  There is 
           nothing of interest here."
      2. The attendant replied, "These pieces of art are no longer on
         trial.  The visitors are!"
   B. It was nearly twenty centuries ago that Jesus faced the illegal
      courts of His mock trial.  The centuries since have vindicated 
      His life and work. 
      1. Jesus is no longer on trial, we are!
   C. In this lesson we want to study from the gospel of John some of
      the claims of Jesus.
      1. We are on trial regarding these claims.  What are they and  
         what is our reaction to them?
 
I. John 4:5-15 - Jesus claims to give living water.
   A. In order to see what "living water" is, we draw a contrast.

Physical water from Jacob's well:

Living water which Jesus bestows:

Cannot prevent one from being thirsty or drawing again.

Lose thirst for all time. (Also John 6:35b)

It had no benefit for the soul; it does not fulfill its needs.

A source of spiritual refreshment and satisfaction. Here on earth it sustains us spiritually, with a view of everlasting life.

II. John 6:31-35 - Jesus claims to be the bread of life. A. In chapter six the evidence is given that confirms the claim -- the feeding of the 5,000. 1. If a man calls himself the bread of life and then takes five loaves of bread and two fish and feeds 5,000, we are inclined to believe Him. a. This is why we put our trust in Jesus. b. He was not like any other man that has ever lived, and He is not like the so-called miracle workers of today. 2. We will not read the miracle itself, but the part of the discussion that followed. a. In vs. 31 we see that the Jews were thinking that Moses was the giver of the manna. b. Notice Jesus' reply in vss. 32-35. Again we draw a contrast:
The Manna of Moses:

The True Bread of Life:

Moses, as God's agent, merely gave directions as to how to gather the manna.

The Father in heaven is the real giver.

Even if Moses be considered the giver, it remains that he did not give real bread out of heaven. The manna was a type.

The Father gives the real or true bread out of heaven. Thatreal bread is Jesus, the antitype.

What the manna provided as it descended from heaven was physical nourishment.

What the bread of life gives is life. This bread is what sustains the spiritual life.

The manna had to be eaten and digested to benefit anyone.

The spiritual bread had to be eaten. It means to accept, appropriate, assimilate Him.

Note: The spiritual manna must be eaten (or taken in) for anyone to
receive the blessings.  (John 6:47-59)
   1. As the manna had to be eaten before it could benefit anyone, so
      the spiritual bread (which is Jesus) must be eaten.  It means  
      to accept, appropriate, assimilate Him.
   2. The eating is spiritual and the result is spiritual.

III. The third claim that we want to examine is Jesus as the light of the world. (As revealed in John ch. 9) A. If Jesus could cure a man from physical blindness, it follows he could cure a man from spiritual blindness. John 9:5-7 1. As we read this account, we see that the blind man was of great character. a. His parents would not help him and we see why in verse 22-23. b. He made a strong stand for Jesus in the presence of the Pharisees. vss. 24-33 c. They cast him out of the Synagogue. vs. 34 2. We can learn several things from these verses. a. First, we should never harden ourselves against plain facts as did the Pharisees. (1) We know from the Scriptures and from our own observation that many will not follow the light. John 3:19-21 (2) These Pharisees loved the praise of men. (Matt. 23:5) They received honor one from another (John 5:44). (3) When the multitudes began to follow Jesus, they were envious of Him. Thus, when Jesus worked miracles, instead of producing faith in their hearts, it caused them to become more and more hardened against Jesus. b. Secondly, in contrast to the Pharisees, we learn from this passage to follow Jesus as did the blind man. (1) He faced a lot of opposition. We, too, will suffer opposition, persecution, and hardship. II Tim. 3:12 c. Thirdly, if we follow Jesus, we shall receive something far greater then just physical sight. John 8:12 (1) Paul said that we are now light in the Lord. Eph. 5:7-11

The Blind Man:

The Pharisees:

He was obedient to Jesus. To have spiritual sight is far greater.

They would not come to Jesus. They received honor from one another. They were envious.

He faced a lot of opposition. His parents would not support him. He was cast out of the synagogue.

They became the persecutors. Those who do not come to the light hate the light.

Not only did he receive physical sight, but also received spiritual light.

They were in spiritual darkness. (John 9:39-41)

IV. Next, we examine Jesus' claim to be the resurrection and the life.
John 11:25 A. Again a miracle is worked by Jesus to prove His claim. John 11:39-44 1. If Jesus can raise a man who has been dead four days, we are persuaded that He can raise us from the dead. 2. The resurrection is obtained through Jesus. 1 Cor. 15:20-21; John 5:28-29

Physical death:

Spiritual life:

In Adam all die.

In Christ all shall be made alive.

Lazarus had been dead four days.

Christ has the power to raise those who have been dead for a long time. Cf. Ezek. 37:1-10

Jesus cried with a loud voce, "Lazarus, come forth!"

Those who are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God and come forth.

V. Jesus is the Savior of the world. John 3:14-15 A. This shows what He is in relation to human needs. 1. Jesus makes comparison of Himself to the serpent of brass that Moses raised in the wilderness. Num. 21:5-9
The Brazen Serpent:

The Savior of the World:

Death threatened as punishment for sin.

All are subject to eternal death because of sin.

God through His grace provided a remedy. The Serpent was "lifted up."

The remedy is Jesus Christ who was "lifted up" on the cross. John 12:31-33

Those who would live had to look to the serpent.

Those who put their trust in Jesus receive eternal life.

Concl. A. We have studied what Jesus is in relation to human needs. We can see what He supplies when we examine His claims. 1. Jesus is the water of life. Jesus said, "But the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14 2. Jesus is the bread of life. "I am the living bread which cometh down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever." John 6:51 3. Jesus is the light of the world. "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12 4. Through Jesus we shall live. "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." John 11:25 5. Jesus is the Savior of the world. "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." John 12:32 B. Let us come to Jesus to avail ourselves of the blessings found in Him.