The Giver of Life

JOHN 4:46-51; 5:2-9; 11:11-13

GOLDEN TEXT: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”—John 11:25

JEHOVAH is the fountain source of all life, the One in whom we “live, and move, and have our being.” (Acts 17:28) However, in God’s plan by which a dying race is rescued from death Jesus is the giver of life. As such he is designated by the prophet to be “The everlasting Father,” that is, the One who will give everlasting life to all the willing and obedient during the thousand years of his reign on the earth. (Isa. 9:6) His consecrated followers during the Gospel age are Christ’s brethren, not his children. Jehovah is their Heavenly Father.—Hebrews 2:11,12

Jesus’ miracles were not performed on behalf of his disciples. Some who were healed may later have become Jesus’ disciples, but his consecrated followers did not receive physical healing at his hands. There was, and still is, a reason for this. The call of God during this age is to sacrifice. We are invited to present our bodies to the Lord for this purpose. The Christian life is one of cross-bearing, and to bear the cross means to die. Jesus himself died, and we are called to follow in his steps. It would not be in keeping with this spirit of sacrifice for divine power to be used to restore the physical health of Christians.

The healing of the nobleman’s son was Jesus’ second miracle in Galilee, although the son was in Capernaum while Jesus was in Cana. The father heard that Jesus had come again to Cana, and he went there to see the Master and to request that his son be healed. There is a suggestion of disappointment in Jesus’ statement, “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” (John 4:48) This has been characteristic of the fallen race in all ages. For this reason the professed people of God who can point to the most impressive outward show usually attract the largest following. “They must be right,” faithless reason concludes, “for they have the most members, own the best church buildings, and have the most impressive rituals.”

Crowds followed Jesus to seek the material blessings he so freely lavished upon the people of that time; but they were not prepared to espouse his cause when they learned that it meant sacrifice. Jesus did not condemn them for this. He knew that the material blessings which they sought were the very ones the Heavenly Father purposed to provide for all mankind when the due time should come. Knowing this, Jesus not only was glad to proclaim orally the coming times of restitution, but was happy also to hand out samples, as it were, of what his future kingdom reign would bring to all mankind.

The healing of the nobleman’s son in Capernaum while Jesus himself was in Cana illustrates the fact that in the kingdom it will not be necessary for him to be personally present in every home in order for all the people to be healed of their diseases, etc. The first miracle at Cana—the turning of water into wine—was a good illustration of the kingdom promise concerning “wine on the lees well refined,” while the second miracle assures us of the power of Christ to destroy sickness and death. These promises are both contained in Isaiah’s prophecy concerning “The everlasting Father.”—Isa. 25:6

The healing of the cripple who lay near the pool of Bethesda illustrates the need of divine intervention in order for man to be delivered from sin, sickness, and death. There were many at that pool anxious to be healed. Traditionally, the first one to step into the water when it was “troubled” would be healed. But this cripple had no way of reaching the water. Jesus saw the situation and bestowed his blessing upon this one who was utterly helpless to do anything for himself, thus illustrating the prophecy that when the Lord looked down from his sanctuary above and saw that there was no arm to help and no eye to pity, he reached down to bring salvation.—Isa. 59:16; 63:5; Psa. 102:19

John’s account of the awakening of Lazarus never loses its interest. In the dialog between Jesus and Martha is set forth the great hope of life for all mankind. In reply to Jesus’ assertion that Lazarus would rise again, Martha replied, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Then Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life”—that is, it will be through me that all will live at the time of the general resurrection. “Believest thou this?” Jesus asked. And Martha said she did believe. She believed that Jesus was the Christ, the One who had been sent of the Heavenly Father to give life to all mankind.—John 11:23-27

QUESTIONS:

Is Jesus the Father of the church?

In what sense will Jesus be “The everlasting Father” of the human race?

Will everlasting life be given to all, irrespective of their belief and obedience?

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