John 5:31-40 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is John 5:31-40. I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help, then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
John 5:31-34 (NIV)
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.
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.
On verses 31-34: To help show the credibility of Jesus’ claim that he is the Son of God, Jesus references the court system that his listeners would be very familiar with. According to the Jewish law, any claim that a person made in court needed to be established by two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16). That is why Jesus says in verse 31, “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid.”
Whereas the Jewish law required two or three witnesses, in John 5:31-40 Jesus will cite four witnesses who testify about him. Jesus does this not because he personally feels any need for a human witness (“Not that I accept human testimony” – v34a) but so that people with questions about Jesus can be assured about Jesus’ credibility (“but I mention it that you may be saved” – v34b).
The first witness Jesus calls is John the Baptist (v32-33). John the Baptist was one of Israel’s most respected leaders and thus his testimony about Jesus gave weight to Jesus’ claims.
What can we learn from this? Like John the Baptist, when you live a life that others can admire and respect, your good reputation lends credibility to your words. People will be more open to what you have to say. Conversely, if you have a bad reputation, people will have trouble believing you, even if you are right.
John 5:35-36 (NIV)
35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
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.
On verses 35-36: A second “witness” that Jesus cites to back up his claim that he is the Son of God is the miraculous works Jesus was doing. The body of miracles that Jesus was performing – “the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing” – “testifies that the Father has sent” (v36) Jesus.
What can we learn from this? Jesus’ own actions supported his claims as the Son of God. Similarly, may your actions – not just your words – speak to others about who Jesus is.
John 5:37-38 (NIV)
37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. 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.
On verses 37-38: A third witness Jesus cites to back up his claims as the Son of God is God the Father. In verse 37 Jesus says, “the Father who has sent me has himself testified concerning me” (v37).
However, Jesus acknowledges that the people’s ability to hear the Father’s testimony about Jesus is blocked by their unbelief. As verses 37-38 say, “You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent”. This suggests to me that if you want to see God and hear God’s voice, it begins with believing in Jesus, the One God sent.
John 5:39-40 (NIV)
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.
On verses 39-40: Jesus cites a fourth witness that testifies about Jesus being the Son of God. That fourth witness is the Scriptures. Jesus says that the Scriptures “testify about me” (v39). One of the big themes in John is that the Old Testament points to Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. These verses also show us that studying the Bible by itself does not give you eternal life. As Jesus says in verse 39, “you diligently study the Scriptures because you think by them you possess eternal life”. However, many of Jesus’ hearers had missed the point of the Scriptures. For as important as studying and memorizing Scripture is, eternal life does not come just from studying and memorizing the Scriptures. The ultimate purpose of the Scriptures is to point us to Jesus. For where Jesus is there is life. So Jesus points to the sad and ironic reality that many of his hearers would study and memorize the Scriptures, and “yet you refuse to come to me to have life” – v40.
What can we learn from this? Don’t forget the reason why God gave us the Scriptures. As important as studying the Scriptures is, life does not come just from studying and memorizing the Scriptures. Life comes from believing the one whom the Scriptures are pointing to: Jesus the Son of God.
Lord Jesus, thank You that John the Baptist, your powerful works, God the Father, and the Scriptures all testify about who You are: the Son of God. May I join this quartet of witnesses and be a witness who, through my actions and words, testifies to others of who you are and the difference you make. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Copyright © 2021 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
