John 5, Part 4

Scripture: John 5:31-47

Observation: Since His opponents wish to kill Him, Jesus responds as one put on trial. Jewish law stated that an accused had to have 2 - 3 witnesses; Jesus provides 4: The Father, John the Baptist, the Scriptures, and Moses. Jesus had already explained that it was the Father who had sent Him (v.19-24) and through the Father He was performing miracles. This should have been enough; Jesus did not need human testimony (v.34), yet because of their unbelief He presented John the Baptist, because He knew they would believe one they knew. Again, though, Jesus emphasizes that the Father's testimony is weightier (v.37-38). Jesus then points to Scripture which testifies about Him, but they fail to see Him because they lack the love of the Father in them (v.42). Then Jesus strikes the most painful blow of all: He tells them it is not He who will accuse them before God, but Moses, who they claim to follow but who himself wrote about Jesus, yet they do not believe. The Jews have seen Moses as their intercessor, yet here Jesus tells them Moses will bear witness against them.

Application: The Old Testament served a purpose these religious leaders could not see: they pointed directly to Jesus. If we read the Old Testament yet don't see Jesus in it, our understanding of Scripture is insufficient. From Genesis to Revelation, the topic of the Bible is one: salvation comes through the one sent by the Father, His Son Jesus Christ. There is no other salvation, no other way to the Father. We have Scripture to bear witness to this truth. Now we must bear witness ourselves.

Prayer: Father, that is my prayer and greatest desire, that my words, my actions, every single moment of my life bear witness to You, to the changes You've made in my life, to who You are and who I am in You. Help me to be a blessing to You and others as my life becomes a testimony to Your grace. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.