John 5:36 "The Very Works." (Part One) with Pastor Michael Petit

John 5:36 brings witness number three into the courtroom: the very works Christ does. Christ has already called God the Father as the first witness and John the Baptist as the second. The Father testified that Jesus is His beloved Son, and John came like the moon, carrying no light of his own but reflecting the true Light. John’s witness matters, but Christ says the works given by the Father are a greater testimony.

The works are the Father’s business. Christ does not move on His own initiative, chase His own agenda, or put on a show. The miracles testify that the Father sent Him, that He is the Messiah, and that He is the Son of God. The healing of the man paralyzed for thirty-eight years was not a trick hidden in a corner. A multitude saw a man who had to be carried into Bethesda every day get up, take his bed, and walk. When Jesus heals, He heals. Healing remains in Christ’s hands, whether physical or spiritual, and prayer for healing remains right because God still works according to His will.

John 20:30-31 gives the reason John chose these signs: they were written so that people would believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life in His name. The signs point beyond themselves. The resurrection stands as the greatest testimony, and the raising of Lazarus will point ahead to Christ defeating death itself. Hebrews 2:4 also shows God bearing witness through signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is at work together in the works of Christ.

The first sign, water turned into wine, reveals Jesus as Lord over nature. John 1 says all things came into being through Him, so changing water into wine displays the authority of the Creator over creation. Christ also changes dead people into new creations. Religion cannot do that. Nicodemus had religious position and temple knowledge, yet he needed to be born from above by water and Spirit. Christ gives abundant life, not merely improved behavior.

The second sign, the healing of the royal official’s son, reveals Jesus as Lord of life. The official came from Herod Antipas’s court, surrounded by power and religion that could not help his dying child. Christ simply spoke, “Go, your son lives.” Christ is not done when people are ready to write someone off. He gives life where death appears to be winning.

##

---

Key Takeaways

• 1. Christ’s works testify to His identity [08:10] Christ does not ask for blind belief detached from reality. The works given by the Father show that Jesus was sent by the Father and acts with divine authority. Miracles are not entertainment; they are witnesses that identify the Son. The works ultimately direct faith toward the risen Christ, who defeated death. [08:10]
• 2. The Father’s business must shape obedience [08:36] Christ’s works are called the Father’s business because His life was fully directed by the Father’s will. Self-interest easily becomes the controlling question: “How will this affect me?” The Father’s business calls believers beyond that narrow frame. Obedience becomes clear when God’s will matters more than personal convenience. [08:36]
• 3. New birth is more than religion [18:28] Nicodemus shows that religious knowledge and religious activity cannot change a dead heart. Christ turns water into wine and brings people from death to life because He alone creates something new. A person can claim Christ while remaining unchanged in nature. Birth from above is God’s work, producing a genuinely new creation. [18:28]
• 4. Christ gives life beyond human limits [19:43] The royal official reached the end of human ability when his son was near death. Christ’s word was enough: “Go, your son lives.” Human power, status, and religious surroundings cannot produce life. Christ remains able to work in people and situations that appear finished.
  
  ## [19:43]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:41] - Preparing for John’s Seven Signs
• [02:22] - The Sabbath Healing and the Need for Witnesses
• [03:36] - God the Father and John the Baptist
• [05:11] - John’s Testimony: The Son of God
• [08:10] - Witness Number Three: Christ’s Works
• [11:13] - Signs Written for Belief and Life
• [12:48] - The Trinity at Work in Miracles
• [13:52] - The Seven Signs of John
• [14:36] - Water Turned Into Wine
• [17:44] - New Birth and Changed Nature
• [19:43] - Healing the Royal Official’s Son

Bible Reading

John 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.” [08:10]

John 20:30-31
“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” [11:13]

Hebrews 2:4
“while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” [12:48]

John 3:4-5
“Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” [18:28]

John 4:46-50
“So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, ‘Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.’ The official said to him, ‘Sir, come down before my child dies.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your son will live.’ The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.” [19:43]

Observation questions

1. In John 5:36, what are the “works” Jesus points to, and what do those works testify about Him? [08:10]
2. What purpose does John give for recording particular signs of Jesus rather than every miracle Jesus performed?
3. According to Hebrews 2:4, what different kinds of ways did God bear witness to the message of Christ? [12:48]
4. What details in John 4:46-50 show both the seriousness of the official’s situation and the trust required when Jesus told him, “Go; your son will live”? [19:43]

Interpretation questions

1. Jesus says His works are a greater testimony than John the Baptist’s testimony. Why would visible works of healing, life, and restoration be strong evidence that the Father sent Him? [08:10]
2. John says the signs were written so that people would believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life in His name. Why is it important that the signs point beyond the miracle itself to Jesus’ identity?
3. Nicodemus had religious knowledge and a respected religious position, yet Jesus told him he needed to be born of water and the Spirit. What is the difference between having religion and receiving new life from Christ? [18:28]
4. The royal official wanted Jesus to come physically to his son, but Jesus gave him a word to believe and obey. What does this reveal about Jesus’ authority and about the kind of faith the official was being called to have? [20:41]

Application questions

1. Jesus lived to accomplish the Father’s business rather than His own agenda. Where is the question, “How will this affect me?” most likely to control your decisions right now, and what might it look like to put God’s will first in that area? [08:31]
2. Christ’s works testify that He is the Son of God, not merely a good teacher or prophet. When you speak about Jesus with family, friends, or coworkers, how clearly do you communicate who He truly is?
3. Jesus still heals according to His will, physically and spiritually. Is there a person or situation you may have stopped praying for because it seems too far gone? How can the group pray with faith while trusting God’s wisdom and timing? [10:08]
4. Turning water into wine points to Christ’s power to make people new. In what ways has Christ changed your desires, attitudes, or direction since you came to Him? Is there an area where you need to ask Him for deeper change? [16:23]
5. Nicodemus reminds us that religious activity does not automatically mean a changed heart. What are some signs that someone is relying mainly on church involvement, knowledge, or appearance instead of depending on Christ for new life? [18:35]
6. The official believed Jesus’ word before he saw the outcome. What promise or command of Christ is difficult for you to trust when you cannot yet see what God is doing? [20:41]
7. Jesus gives life where human strength, status, and religious surroundings cannot. Who in your life needs to hear that Christ is still able to bring life and hope into a situation that appears finished? [19:43]