...remain faithful...

Jesus said, “31 If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. 33 You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent.

39 You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. 40 Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. 41 I do not accept glory from human beings. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47 But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?” John 5:31-47.

At this point in John’s Gospel Jesus has presented His claims about who He is, and now He calls on His witnesses.  And first He begins with John the Baptist who was a lamp, but he was not the light.  And despite the enthusiasm that the Baptist generated, in the end you (the Pharisees) were unwilling to accept his testimony about Jesus: “35 He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.”

Then notice that Jesus refers to the witness of His own works that bear witness to Him: “36 But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.”   We also saw Nicodemus admit that the works of Jesus were a testimony to Him:  “Nicodemus came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with You’”  John 3:2.  

And then thirdly notice that Jesus points to His very own Father as His witness, if only the people will accept this witness that prepared the way for Jesus in the Old Testament.  “37 And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me.”   And even at Sinai only Moses dealt with God directly, and the people were obliged to accept the word of Moses, although not for long

“45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope.”  And most sadly of all, the people will not accept the one whom God has sent.   “37 You have neither heard the voice of My Father at any time nor seen His form. 38 You do not have His Word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.”   And finally notice that Jesus says that the Scriptures bear witness to Jesus.   And notice the theme of Life — a central theme of John in his Gospel:  “39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”

Now Jesus, who is speaking to the Pharisees, knows them well — He knows they will not accept any of these witnesses, despite the fact that Jesus clearly describes all five (5) witnesses:

1. John the Baptist

2. The works of Jesus Christ, Himself

3. Jesus’ very own Father, God the Father

4. Moses, the one God has sent

5. The Scriptures

And in dramatic fashion Jesus accuses them of having no love of God, only a desire for human praise.   Consequently, even Moses will accuse them, for standing in front of them is a Prophet just like Moses, but most importantly, the Messiah, the Son of Man, and they ignore Jesus just as they ignored Moses: “45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

Dear friends, this concludes the first of many important discourses of Jesus in John’s Gospel.  Pray that what Jesus said does not include His condemnation of you and me.  Let us pray for one another and pray that we will be happy and immediate witnesses to Jesus whenever called upon in our lives.   Pray that we will LIVE our faith and NOT JUST TALK about it!

Oh dear Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.  For I desire in my heart to be Your witness — at all times and in every circumstance.  Let me not slide, hide, deny, or postpone who You are.  Let me never put off living a faithful life.   In Your holy name I pray, Jesus Christ, Our Lord, amen.