QT 10/04/2026 Fri. John 5:1–18 Father’s Work and Equality with God? 父的工作与与神同等？
QT 10/04/2026 Fri. John 5:1–18 Father’s Work and Equality with God?
READ http://www.esv.org/john5:1-18
Would you view your life and ministry today as doing the Heavenly Father’s work, just as Jesus did so during His earthly ministry? The Jews of Jesus’ time could not understand how the healing of a invalid handicapped man who suffered 38 years, even on Sabbath, could be equated with the Father’s work. Do you suffer from this mental block? Let’s unpack the passage.
(1) Jesus says, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” (John 5:17)
In this passage, Jesus heals a man who had been disabled for thirty-eight years—a powerful display of compassion and divine authority. Yet instead of rejoicing, the religious leaders focus on one issue: the healing took place on the Sabbath.
To them, Jesus appears to be breaking God’s law. But Jesus responds with a profound statement: “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” With these words, He reveals something deeper than a miracle—He reveals His identity.
God did not “stop working” after creation. Even on the Sabbath, the Father sustains life, shows mercy, and governs the world. Jesus declares that His work is the Father’s work. He is not acting independently, nor is He merely a prophet. He is acting in perfect unity with God.
This is why the Jewish leaders react so strongly. They understand exactly what Jesus is claiming: equality with God (v. 18). Jesus is not just doing God’s work—He is sharing in God’s divine authority.
Take Away Values:
(a) God’s Work Is Ongoing:
The Father is always at work—sustaining creation, extending mercy, and accomplishing His redemptive plan. The healing on the Sabbath is not a violation of God’s law but a reflection of God’s heart. The Seventh day in the Creation account was a day of celebration when all of Creation was created good and very good, and God rested and ruled through humanity on His behalf. After the Fall of Mankind (Genesis 3), God’s work continues to restore humanity back to that initial ideal, and is still ongoing today!
(b) Jesus Reveals the Father
Jesus perfectly reflects God’s character. His compassion, authority, and actions show us who God truly is. To see Jesus is to see the Father at work.
(c) Jesus Is Equal with God in Divinity
This passage clearly affirms Christ’s divine identity. He is not merely sent by God—He shares in God’s nature and authority. This truth is central to the Gospel.
Application: How can we live in view of the above values and truth?
(a) Rest in God’s active care: Even when life feels still or uncertain, God is not idle. He is working in ways you may not yet see.
(b) Trust Jesus fully: If Jesus is equal with God, then He is fully worthy of your faith, obedience, and worship.
(c) Reflect God’s mercy: Like Jesus, we are called to prioritise compassion over legalism, especially toward those in need.
Prayer
Heavenly Father. Thank You that You are always at work in my life, even when I cannot see it. Help me to trust in Your ongoing care and sovereign plan. Lord Jesus, I believe that You are one with the Father—teach me to follow You with wholehearted faith and obedience. Shape my heart to reflect Your mercy and compassion. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
QT 10/04/2026 星期五. 约翰福音5:1-18 父的工作与与神同等？
阅读 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john5%3A1-18&version=CNVS
你是否将自己今日的生活与事工视为在做天父的工作，正如耶稣在世事工时所做的那样？耶稣时代的犹太人无法理解，在安息日医治一位患病三十八年的瘫痪者，怎么能等同于天父的工作。你是否也有这种思维定式？让我们来剖析这段经文。
(1) 耶稣却对他们说：“我父作工直到现在，我也作工。”（约翰福音 5:17）
在这段经文中，耶稣医治了一位瘫痪三十八年的男子——这是对怜悯与神圣权柄的有力彰显。然而，宗教领袖们非但没有为此欢喜，反而只关注一个问题：医治发生在安息日。
在他们看来，耶稣似乎在违背神的律法。但耶稣以一句深奥的话回应道：“我父作工直到如今，我也作工。” 借着这番话，祂揭示的远不止是一个神迹——祂揭示了自己的身份。
神在创造之后并没有 “停止工作”。即使在安息日，父神仍在维系生命、施展怜悯、治理世界。耶稣宣告，祂的工作就是父的工作。祂并非独立行事，也并非仅仅是一位先知。祂是与神完全合一地行事。
这就是为什么犹太领袖们反应如此激烈。他们完全明白耶稣在宣称什么：与神同等（第18节）。耶稣不仅是在做神的工作——祂更是分享了神的权柄。
核心价值：
(a) 神的工作永不停息：
父神始终在工作——维系万物、施予怜悯，并成就祂的救赎计划。安息日治病并非违背神的律法，而是反映了神的心意。创世记中记载的第七日是一个庆典之日，那时万物被造“一切都很好”，神便 “安息”—并通过人类代祂治理万物。人类堕落之后（创世记3章），神的工作仍在继续，旨在将人类恢复到最初的理想状态，而这项工作至今仍在进行！
(b) 耶稣彰显父神
耶稣完美地反映了神的品格。祂的怜悯、权柄和作为向我们显明了神真实的本相。看见耶稣，就是看见父神在动工。
(c) 耶稣在神性上与神同等
这段经文明确肯定了基督的神性身份。祂不仅是被神差遣的——祂更与神同享本性与权柄。这一真理是福音的核心。
应用：我们该如何在上述价值观和真理的指引下生活？
(a) 安息在神的积极看顾中：即使生活看似停滞或充满不确定，神也从未闲置。祂正以你尚未察觉的方式行事。
(b) 全然信靠耶稣：若耶稣与神同等，祂就完全配得你的信心、顺服与敬拜。
(c) 耶稣在神性上与神同等
这段经文明确肯定了基督的神性身份。祂不仅是神所差遣的，更与神同享神性与权柄。这一真理是福音的核心。
应用：我们该如何在上述价值观和真理的指引下生活？
(a) 安息在神的积极看顾中：即使生活看似停滞或充满不确定，神也从未停歇。祂正以你尚未察觉的方式行事。
(b) 全然信靠耶稣：若耶稣与神同等，祂就完全配得你的信心、顺服与敬拜。
(c) 彰显神的怜悯：效法耶稣，我们被呼召要以怜悯胜过律法主义，特别是对那些有需要的人。
祷告
天父，感谢祢在我生命中始终在动工，即使我看不见。求祢帮助我信靠祢持续的看顾和主权的计划。主耶稣，我信祢与父原为一——求祢教导我以全心的信心和顺服跟随祢。求祢塑造我的心，使我能彰显祢的怜悯与慈爱。奉耶稣的名求。阿们。
