Skip to main content

140. Testimonies That Prove the Truth


Deuteronomy 18:15-19, John 5:31-47
Key Verse: "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."
John 5:36

Today Jesus continues with His defense of Himself and His ministry. Remember, this confrontation came about because, once again, Jesus had supposedly broken Jewish Law by healing a paraplegic on the Sabbath. To make matters worse, He had claimed God as His Father, which in His accusers’ eyes, was the same as saying, "I am equivalent to God."

As any lawyer will tell you, a defendant's case is not very strong if his defense relies solely on the defendant's testimony. A case is always strengthened by collaborating witnesses. This was also true for Jesus' day. Therefore, In His own defense, Jesus names five witnesses that point to the fact that He is speaking the truth about Himself and His relationship to God.

The first witness that He calls to His defense is God Himself. "There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that His testimony about Me is valid." (John 5:32) Next He refers to John the Baptist, even though Jesus knew that the leaders to whom He is speaking didn't take John very seriously either. Jesus then points to His own works, (John 5:36) which His accusers have often credited to the devil. Next, he refers to all of Scripture, which, as we have been seeing throughout the year, abundantly points to Jesus as the Christ. Here, Jesus accuses them of not being better students because, though they claim to know all of Scripture, they do not recognize Him. Finally, Jesus refers to the revered Prophet, Moses, himself, who the Jews see as the giver of the original law. (John 5:45-47) Moses, from Genesis to Deuteronomy, had promised that God would walk among men in a way that would not frighten them, as they had been frightened by Him at Mount Sinai. Now, here He was, God's promise fulfilled, the true giver of the law Himself, being accused of breaking His own law by mere men who worshiped their religion and tradition more than God Himself.

This whole passage urges us to be careful. First of all, we must guard our hearts from letting our comfortable way of doing things, our traditions and preferences, keep us from God's truth when it is revealed. Secondly, just like Jesus, we must realize that, as His followers, we too live a life always on trial by Satan. The great accuser would love to find fault with us, ways that we have not lived up to Christ's name and reputation. If you were accused of being a Christian, how would your trial go? Could you call on witnesses who could testify to your walk with the Lord, or is it hard to tell for most observers?

Hymn: "At the Name of Jesus"  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It’s Worth Everything

Phil 1:12-30 Listen Link: www.lcepc.org then look for “sermons” tab. Have you ever had a bad day? Have you ever lived through very difficult circumstances? Sure, we all have. But what you have experienced, certainly I will say that what I have experienced, is probably very mild compared to what Paul endured. And yet he is the one who said, “Whatever happens, stand firm. It’s worth it.” What encouragement does he give? Is there any evidence that Paul knows what he is talking about? All he says in this letter is, “I am in chains.” But there is so much more to this story! Most likely Paul was writing from prison in Rome, the one we read about in Acts 28. But the whole drama of how he got there starts in Acts 21. Seven chapters in the Book of Acts describe the things that happened after Paul completed his third missionary journey and returned to Jerusalem. I think it’s important to summarize those events here because it will add meaning to what Paul means by stand firm. The dram
Post a Comment
Read more

130. Healing or Exorcism?

Matthew 9:32-34 Key Verse: The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." Matthew 9:33B In contrast to the two blind men who came on their own (yesterday’s reading), here is a man who was brought to Jesus by others. This demon behaved very differently than the other demons that we have encountered up to this point. Most of them were combative, or left their victims on the ground while they went screaming off into, who knows where. This one never says a word, but still it must submit to Jesus’ command. Interesting also, that sometimes Jesus tells the people he has healed not to say anything.  But in the case of healing a mute who couldn’t say anything, it is best if he speaks! Besides, the crowds saw it for themselves and were amazed. It was already public. Nobody could’ve kept it under wraps.  Once again, the Pharisees were given an opportunity to praise God, but instead they criticized Jesus and said, “It is by the prince o
Post a Comment
Read more

152. Those Who Found the Price Too High

John 6:60-71 Key Verse: "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." John 6:63 When we covered the early part of this passage, (John 6:29-59), we discussed how Jesus made following Him an exclusive calling. God chooses us and we choose Him. As a result, God has certain expectations on us as followers, and partakers of His son. All of this has to do with the "Cost of Discipleship." We don't cover this topic as much as, perhaps, we should as Christians. Too many of us believe that all that is required of us is to pray the sinners' prayer and then it's a done deal. However, have you ever thought about the fact that the "sinner's prayer," or the prayer that leads to salvation is not in Scripture? It is a series of phrases that have been strung together by people, to cover the bases so that you can surrender to Jesus and begin your walk with Him.  The true, main
Post a Comment
Read more