Popsicles and Pharisees | John 5:16-18

This message centers on a pivotal moment in John 5 where Jesus, after healing a man on the Sabbath, proclaims, “My Father is working… and I am working,” equating Himself with God. The message dives deep into why this statement enraged the Jewish leaders—because Jesus was not only breaking Sabbath tradition but also calling God His Father, a direct claim to divinity. By tracing the sacredness of the name “Yahweh” all the way back to Exodus and Moses, the message underscores the weight of Jesus’ words. To the religious leaders, this wasn’t just disrespectful; it was blasphemy. Jesus, by using divine language and authority, declared that He was the Son of Yahweh—the unspoken, revered I AM—and this bold claim was the spark that led to the conspiracy to kill Him.

From this foundation, the message shifts to us today, challenging us not to reduce Jesus’ words to mere suggestions. If He is truly Lord, our lives should reflect obedience—turning the other cheek, forgiving others, being generous, praying for enemies, and sharing faith even when it’s uncomfortable. The message calls believers to live with “faith on fire” like the early disciples—who believed, followed, and sacrificed because they were convinced that Jesus was not only the Son of God but equal with Yahweh Himself. The freedom we now have to speak His name should not breed casual faith but deep reverence and bold obedience.