Witnesses

John 5:30-40

30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, 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 the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

Notes

The Lord Jesus explained that He does the will of the Father, including judgment. He stated that He cannot do anything to deviate from the Father’s will. Then the Lord would open the discussion of witnesses. What would be the significance of witnesses in relation to what is true? In the Jewish mindset, credible witnesses are necessary to establish a claim. Our Lord will establish that His witnesses were John the Baptist, His works, the Father, and the Scriptures.

30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true (John 5:30)

1. John the Baptist

   Jesus referred to John as one of the witnesses. God sent John the Baptist to be a witness of the Light (John 1:6-8). Although John spoke the truth, the Lord has more powerful witnesses. One of which is God Himself.

   
   32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, 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 (John 5:32-35).

   
   

2. Greater Witnesses

   The Lord Jesus explained that His works and the Father Himself are the greater testimonies. The works of Christ included the healing of the invalid, the giving of eternal life, and the coming judgment. But within ultimate work was His death and resurrection.
   
   36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me (John 5:36-37).

3. Scriptures

   The Lord stated that the Scriptures bear witness about Him. But the Jews do not have God’s word in them because they do not believe in Christ. The Jews would instead promote the writings of men rather than the Scriptures. That is why they do not come to Christ to have life.

   
   38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life (John 5:38-40).

   Application

   1. Believe in John’s witness

      Let us believe that the witness of John the Baptist is true. Jesus Christ, our Lord, is the Lamb of God, and that the Spirit of God is upon Him. John the Baptist admitted that He is much greater than him.
      

   2. Believe in the Father’s witness

      The Father’s witness is reflected in the works accomplished by the Son. The ultimate accomplishment is death and resurrection. But included in the work of Christ were the signs and His claims.
      

   3. Believe in the Scriptures

      The Jews that Jesus addressed would not come to Christ to have life. The Jews think that they know Scripture, but they do not. They only know the opinions of men. Thus, we must distinguish the word of God from the word of men.

      
      

   Reflection & Discussion

1. Identify and explain the witnesses of the Lord.

2. Why would the Jews not come to Christ?

3. How should we avoid the fatal mistake of the Jews?