Feb 21, 2021
Scripture Reading: John 5:30-47
In this long and exquisite section of John 5, Jesus continues to defend His nature as the Son of God. In John 5:30-47, Jesus points to a series of 'witnesses' which testify to His authority as deity. The witnesses begin with the Father (Jn 5:32,37) and then there are three witnesses which issue from Him.
John the Baptist, who was sent from God (Jn 1:6), was a clear, forceful witness of Jesus being the Son of God (Jn 1:34). Next, the works of Jesus, which the Father had given Jesus to accomplish, were a clear witness of His authority (Jn 5:36). Finally, the Scriptures bore witness of the nature of Jesus (Jn 5:39,46).
In spite of these unmistakable witnesses, the Jewish leaders had refused to come to Jesus. John 5:40 literally says, "You do not want to come to me." The problem was not a lack of compelling evidence declaring who Jesus was. The problem was a lack of will to believe.
It is a fair question to ask why someone would not want to come to Jesus, especially given how good and kind and merciful He is. This passage answers that question. "How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?" (Jn 5:44). The sinful human heart loves the glory of man instead of the glory of God.
The question is, "What is at the center of the heart?" Adam put himself at the center and every person since him does the same thing. Let us strive to be increasingly enthralled with God's excellencies that we might believe and obey and delight in the Son of God.