In The Word
Read: John 5:30-47
30 “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
31 “If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true.
Witness of John
33 You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. 34 But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
Witness of Works
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.
Witness of the Father
37 And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice 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.
Witness of the Scripture
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. 41 I do not receive glory from men; 42 but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. 43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? 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?”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
In our reading today, we are now beginning to witness an uprising of opposition to Jesus’ ministry. Jesus began to really answer the question regarding with what authority He had come, and to upset the many traditions and beliefs of the Jewish people, especially the traditions of the Pharisees. He started with the testimony of John the Baptist: Many people believed that John was a prophet. Others believed he was much more than that.
Jesus reminded them of John’s proclamation, “I myself have seen and testify that this is the Son of God” (John 1:29-34). The very works Jesus did, testified that the Father had sent Him. In addition, His Father in heaven testified of Him, but the people could not hear the voice of the Father. Jesus said, “You do not believe Him who sent me.” Even their holy scriptures, “the Law of Moses,” which they bragged of knowing inside and out, proclaimed Jesus as Messiah. Yet they chose not to believe. They believed their eternal life came from the knowledge of the scriptures and Moses. How surprised they will be when it is Moses who will accuse them of their unbelief!
The Pharisees were more worried about what others thought of them than what their heavenly Father thought of them. The praise they received from the people was more important than what God thought of them. It is important that whomever you follow as your pastor, that he believes in the name of Jesus Christ. A pastor or minister of the gospel can impress you with their knowledge of the bible, but do they acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God? Make Him a testimony in your life today by accepting Him as your Lord and Savior who will bring you eternal life!