John 5:31-47

In Jewish law self-testimony is not valid, there have to be other witnesses to Jesus. Jesus says there are several of these;

  1. His father in heaven is his primary witness,
  2. John the Baptist whom they knew is also a witness, and Jesus says if they had listened to him they would be saved,
  3. Jesus teachings and miracles are a witness
  4. The scriptures are a witness. The Jews believed study would bring eternal life, but they fail to recognise the one that it is written about. Jesus says that Moses wrote about him, but they didn’t get it.

Jesus criticises the leaders for the fickleness of their attitude and their unwillingness to accept him:

  1. They don’t see Jesus in the scripture
  2. They reject him and his works and teaching
  3. They accept those who promote themselves and engage in mutual honouring of one another but reject Jesus and don’t love God.

In wanting the praise of people, they missed the praise of God.

This is a warning to us, especially in these days, where many can promote themselves and their message on a global stage. We need discernment to know when we are being pointed to Jesus and the right interpretation of scripture or pointed to someone’s own desire for honour. Careful discernment will protect us from disappointment and being led astray. Even intense study of scripture will not help us if it doesn’t keep us focused on Jesus. The Jewish leader’s obsession with the observation of the law had missed the grace, truth and mercy of God which Jesus came to reveal to us.

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.