John 5:31-47
Three witnesses for Jesus--His Father, John the Baptist, and His Work
31 "If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. 32 There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid.
John
33 "You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
Work
36 "I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me.
Father
37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me.
Errors Identified
You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
41 "I do not accept praise from men, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?
45 "But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"
Observations for living today:
God does not expect us to blindly follow Him without thinking. Who you believe is very important!
Jesus knew the Jewish leadership was trying to kill him because of what He was saying (Jn 5:18). To help or “save” (v. 31) them in their struggle with doubt and unbelief, Jesus points to the testimony of three witnesses to establish His credentials: John the Baptist (vs. 33, 35), the Father (v. 37) and the work (v. 36) the Father gave Him to do.
Testimony of John (vs. 31-35). John was respected and revered as a prophet (Mt 11:9; Lk 7:26; Mt 14:5; Lk 20:6; Mt 21:26; Mt 21:46; Mk 11:32). When John was asked why he baptized if he was not the Christ, Elijah nor the Prophet—his answer related directly to how the Father established Jesus’ credentials—identifying Him as the Christ. John did not know who the Christ was until he baptized Jesus in the Jordan. He would have never known for sure who the Messiah was unless the one who sent him told him how to recognize the Son of God. God told John the only one he would baptize and see the Spirit come down from heaven and remain on, would be the Son of God (Jn 1:24-35). None of the leaders of Israel doubted John was a prophet who spoke the truth, yet on this detail they must have determined John was trying to deceive them or was somehow mistaken.
Testimony of the Father (vs. 37-40). Jesus focused the leadership on testimony provided in the Scriptures. They spent years studying Moses, could quote him in every subject, yet they could not believe what God said, i.e., what Moses wrote about Jesus. Scripture is “God-breathed” (2 Tim 3:16), God’s voice written to man through the prophets, whom they considered Moses to be the greatest. Moses quotes God’s promise to raise up another prophet from among the people like Moses, warning the people would be required to listen to him or God would hold them accountable (Deut 18:15-22). The people saw Jesus as fulfillment of Moses prophesy, numerous times (Jn 7:37-43; Mt 21:7-11; Mk 6:12-15; Lk 7:11-23; Lk 24:13-32; Jn 4:7-42; Jn 6:5-14). Jesus warned eternal life is not found in the Scriptures, it is found by believing what God has to say. Looking to the Scripture for salvation apart from coming to the one God sent and believing what He has to say about what is real, then or now, leads to the second death (Rev 2:11; 20:6; 20:14; 21:8).
Testimony of Work (v. 36). Jesus focused the leadership on the work (signs, wonders and miracles) God gave Him to do and was doing, as a further testimony of His unity with God (cf. vs. 19, 20, and Jn 17:4). Some Pharisees recognized those works testified God was with him and began to believe Jesus might be the Messiah (Jn 3:2; 12:42), but fear of being thrown out of the Synagogue held them back (Jn 9:22). Jesus came in the “Name” or power and authority of God, doing what He was sent by God to do, but they could not accept Him. If anyone would have done what He was doing, in any other name, Jesus suggested they would have accepted and praised that person (vs. 43-44).
How did they miss the truth when Jesus had such solid credentials? Jesus had identified the root cause of their cascading errors (Jn 5:24) and specifically addressed their irrational judgments/choices, misguided behavior and the resulting unfavorable consequences.
Root error—do not believe God!
Judgments—a cognitive bias results in irrational choices: 1) Do not believe the one sent by God (v. 38b)—John or Jesus; 2) Refuse to believe what the Scriptures say about Jesus (vs. 39b); 3) Do not believe what Moses wrote about Jesus (v. 47); and, 4) Set their hope on Moses (v. 45).
Behaviors—poor judgment results in misguided efforts: 1) Diligently study Scriptures thinking through their efforts they can possess/obtain eternal life (v. 39a); 2) Refuse to come to Jesus to have life (v. 40); and 3) Make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God (v. 44).
Consequences—what one does shapes what one becomes: 1) Never heard his voice nor seen his form (v. 37); 2) Word of God does not dwell in them (v. 38a); and, 3) Do not have the love of God in their hearts (v. 42).
All of the above errant choices, misguided efforts and unfortunate consequences are a direct result of not believing God. Eve did it and we have been repeating the error ever since. The leadership and people of Israel, each in turn have not believed God and have not listened to the one He sent: Moses, John the Baptist and now Jesus. How can I avoid such fatal errors? Jesus knew those standing before Him—“I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.” If you do not love God, His word cannot dwell in you; and if you do not have His word dwelling within you, you cannot hear the voice or see the form of God. The path to salvation is simple; reverse engineer the error—Love God by believing the one He sent; come to Jesus for eternal life and participate in a reality that exists only in the one sent by God, Jesus Christ (cf. Col 2:17).
Reality in Christ:
Today there is a better reality than when John proclaimed the truth in the wilderness. Before Jesus completed the work He was given by God, John the Baptist was the greatest prophet (Mt 11:11; Lk 7:28) born of women; now the least Christian in the kingdom of God is greater than John! Today there is a better reality than sitting with the disciples and/or Apostles in Galilee when Jesus proclaimed His message to the people. Jesus told us if we loved Him we would be glad He was going to the Father, because the Father was greater and the world needed to know/understand He always did exactly what the Father wanted done (Jn 14:28-31) and said exactly what the Father wanted said (Jn 12:44-50). Today there is a better reality than what He could give His disciples while He was with them on earth (Jn 16:5-16). Jesus prayed for and the Father gave to us the glory of being completely united in the One and Only True God, His Son and the Holy Spirit (Jn 17:11, 22).
And yet, today there are some “Christians” who say Jesus is their Lord, but are totally blind to the truth (Mt 25:41-46). Jesus warned you could not confess your way into heaven by calling Him Lord; only those who do the will of the Father will enter heaven (Mt 7:21-27). God cannot be tricked; action speaks louder than words (cf. Jn 14:12, 15-27). Love for God exists in who we believe and who/what we believe shapes our behavior. The leadership of Israel provide an example of the danger of a mindset based on an error, coupled with confirmation bias and/or belief bias. The leadership of Israel needed to change their mind about some things, but their bias blinded them to the truth sent by God. Jesus was trying to tell them to believe God and understand the Scriptures differently; “you have heard God say this, but I tell you must think of it this way” (cf. Mt 5-7). Unless you believe God, listen to the one He sent and learn from Him (Mt 11:29) you will participate in the same error.
Unity with God is not seen in miracles done (Mt 7:22); it is experienced when your spirit walks in harmony with God’s Spirit (Mt 25:40). Jesus said man lives not only by what he eats, rather, on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Mt 4:4). Jesus was quoting Moses who was explaining what is important to remember about reality: living is your opportunity to show God what is in your heart, that you believe Him and will do what He wants done (Deut 8:1-14). Let the love of God fill your heart and do what Jesus taught, letting your belief in what He said shape your behavior and transform your thinking about everything. If you do, then what the Spirit said through Paul will happen for you: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Ro 12:2). This is similar to what the Spirit said through Peter: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:3-4).
Reality is, when you believe God, when you do what pleases Him, He protects you through the power of the Name He gave Jesus—you are one with Jesus, who is with the Father—now (Jn 17:11, 22)! When Jesus returns He will give to everyone according to what he has done, not according to what he has said (Rev 22:12).
Three witnesses for Jesus--His Father, John the Baptist, and His Work
31 "If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. 32 There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid.
John
33 "You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
Work
36 "I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me.
Father
37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me.
Errors Identified
You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
41 "I do not accept praise from men, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?
45 "But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"
Observations for living today:
God does not expect us to blindly follow Him without thinking. Who you believe is very important!
Jesus knew the Jewish leadership was trying to kill him because of what He was saying (Jn 5:18). To help or “save” (v. 31) them in their struggle with doubt and unbelief, Jesus points to the testimony of three witnesses to establish His credentials: John the Baptist (vs. 33, 35), the Father (v. 37) and the work (v. 36) the Father gave Him to do.
Testimony of John (vs. 31-35). John was respected and revered as a prophet (Mt 11:9; Lk 7:26; Mt 14:5; Lk 20:6; Mt 21:26; Mt 21:46; Mk 11:32). When John was asked why he baptized if he was not the Christ, Elijah nor the Prophet—his answer related directly to how the Father established Jesus’ credentials—identifying Him as the Christ. John did not know who the Christ was until he baptized Jesus in the Jordan. He would have never known for sure who the Messiah was unless the one who sent him told him how to recognize the Son of God. God told John the only one he would baptize and see the Spirit come down from heaven and remain on, would be the Son of God (Jn 1:24-35). None of the leaders of Israel doubted John was a prophet who spoke the truth, yet on this detail they must have determined John was trying to deceive them or was somehow mistaken.
Testimony of the Father (vs. 37-40). Jesus focused the leadership on testimony provided in the Scriptures. They spent years studying Moses, could quote him in every subject, yet they could not believe what God said, i.e., what Moses wrote about Jesus. Scripture is “God-breathed” (2 Tim 3:16), God’s voice written to man through the prophets, whom they considered Moses to be the greatest. Moses quotes God’s promise to raise up another prophet from among the people like Moses, warning the people would be required to listen to him or God would hold them accountable (Deut 18:15-22). The people saw Jesus as fulfillment of Moses prophesy, numerous times (Jn 7:37-43; Mt 21:7-11; Mk 6:12-15; Lk 7:11-23; Lk 24:13-32; Jn 4:7-42; Jn 6:5-14). Jesus warned eternal life is not found in the Scriptures, it is found by believing what God has to say. Looking to the Scripture for salvation apart from coming to the one God sent and believing what He has to say about what is real, then or now, leads to the second death (Rev 2:11; 20:6; 20:14; 21:8).
Testimony of Work (v. 36). Jesus focused the leadership on the work (signs, wonders and miracles) God gave Him to do and was doing, as a further testimony of His unity with God (cf. vs. 19, 20, and Jn 17:4). Some Pharisees recognized those works testified God was with him and began to believe Jesus might be the Messiah (Jn 3:2; 12:42), but fear of being thrown out of the Synagogue held them back (Jn 9:22). Jesus came in the “Name” or power and authority of God, doing what He was sent by God to do, but they could not accept Him. If anyone would have done what He was doing, in any other name, Jesus suggested they would have accepted and praised that person (vs. 43-44).
How did they miss the truth when Jesus had such solid credentials? Jesus had identified the root cause of their cascading errors (Jn 5:24) and specifically addressed their irrational judgments/choices, misguided behavior and the resulting unfavorable consequences.
Root error—do not believe God!
Judgments—a cognitive bias results in irrational choices: 1) Do not believe the one sent by God (v. 38b)—John or Jesus; 2) Refuse to believe what the Scriptures say about Jesus (vs. 39b); 3) Do not believe what Moses wrote about Jesus (v. 47); and, 4) Set their hope on Moses (v. 45).
Behaviors—poor judgment results in misguided efforts: 1) Diligently study Scriptures thinking through their efforts they can possess/obtain eternal life (v. 39a); 2) Refuse to come to Jesus to have life (v. 40); and 3) Make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God (v. 44).
Consequences—what one does shapes what one becomes: 1) Never heard his voice nor seen his form (v. 37); 2) Word of God does not dwell in them (v. 38a); and, 3) Do not have the love of God in their hearts (v. 42).
All of the above errant choices, misguided efforts and unfortunate consequences are a direct result of not believing God. Eve did it and we have been repeating the error ever since. The leadership and people of Israel, each in turn have not believed God and have not listened to the one He sent: Moses, John the Baptist and now Jesus. How can I avoid such fatal errors? Jesus knew those standing before Him—“I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.” If you do not love God, His word cannot dwell in you; and if you do not have His word dwelling within you, you cannot hear the voice or see the form of God. The path to salvation is simple; reverse engineer the error—Love God by believing the one He sent; come to Jesus for eternal life and participate in a reality that exists only in the one sent by God, Jesus Christ (cf. Col 2:17).
Reality in Christ:
Today there is a better reality than when John proclaimed the truth in the wilderness. Before Jesus completed the work He was given by God, John the Baptist was the greatest prophet (Mt 11:11; Lk 7:28) born of women; now the least Christian in the kingdom of God is greater than John! Today there is a better reality than sitting with the disciples and/or Apostles in Galilee when Jesus proclaimed His message to the people. Jesus told us if we loved Him we would be glad He was going to the Father, because the Father was greater and the world needed to know/understand He always did exactly what the Father wanted done (Jn 14:28-31) and said exactly what the Father wanted said (Jn 12:44-50). Today there is a better reality than what He could give His disciples while He was with them on earth (Jn 16:5-16). Jesus prayed for and the Father gave to us the glory of being completely united in the One and Only True God, His Son and the Holy Spirit (Jn 17:11, 22).
And yet, today there are some “Christians” who say Jesus is their Lord, but are totally blind to the truth (Mt 25:41-46). Jesus warned you could not confess your way into heaven by calling Him Lord; only those who do the will of the Father will enter heaven (Mt 7:21-27). God cannot be tricked; action speaks louder than words (cf. Jn 14:12, 15-27). Love for God exists in who we believe and who/what we believe shapes our behavior. The leadership of Israel provide an example of the danger of a mindset based on an error, coupled with confirmation bias and/or belief bias. The leadership of Israel needed to change their mind about some things, but their bias blinded them to the truth sent by God. Jesus was trying to tell them to believe God and understand the Scriptures differently; “you have heard God say this, but I tell you must think of it this way” (cf. Mt 5-7). Unless you believe God, listen to the one He sent and learn from Him (Mt 11:29) you will participate in the same error.
Unity with God is not seen in miracles done (Mt 7:22); it is experienced when your spirit walks in harmony with God’s Spirit (Mt 25:40). Jesus said man lives not only by what he eats, rather, on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Mt 4:4). Jesus was quoting Moses who was explaining what is important to remember about reality: living is your opportunity to show God what is in your heart, that you believe Him and will do what He wants done (Deut 8:1-14). Let the love of God fill your heart and do what Jesus taught, letting your belief in what He said shape your behavior and transform your thinking about everything. If you do, then what the Spirit said through Paul will happen for you: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Ro 12:2). This is similar to what the Spirit said through Peter: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:3-4).
Reality is, when you believe God, when you do what pleases Him, He protects you through the power of the Name He gave Jesus—you are one with Jesus, who is with the Father—now (Jn 17:11, 22)! When Jesus returns He will give to everyone according to what he has done, not according to what he has said (Rev 22:12).
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