The Message Of John 5:30-38

Introduction

The Gospel of John is one of the four Gospels in the New Testament. It contains unique stories and teachings of Jesus that are not found in the other Gospels. One of these unique stories is found in John 5:1-47, where Jesus heals a man at the pool of Bethesda and then has a dialogue with the Jewish leaders. In this article, we will focus on the message of John 5:30-38 and its relevance to our lives today.

The Context of John 5:30-38

In John 5:30-38, Jesus is responding to the accusations of the Jewish leaders who were angry that he had healed the man on the Sabbath. Jesus declares that he is the Son of God and that he has the authority to do the works of his Father. He then presents four witnesses that testify to his identity: John the Baptist, the works that he does, the Father, and the Scriptures.

Jesus’ Authority as the Son of God

Jesus begins by declaring his authority as the Son of God. He says, “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” (John 5:30). Jesus is stating that he is not acting independently but is following the will of his Father. He is doing the works that his Father has given him to do.

The Testimony of John the Baptist

Jesus then presents the first witness, John the Baptist. He says, “You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth” (John 5:33). John the Baptist had testified that Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). John had prepared the way for Jesus and had pointed people to him as the one who was coming after him.

The Works that Jesus Does

The second witness that Jesus presents is the works that he does. He says, “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” (John 5:36). Jesus is saying that the miracles that he performs are evidence that he is from God. The works that he does testify to his identity as the Son of God.

The Testimony of the Father

The third witness that Jesus presents is the Father himself. He says, “And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen” (John 5:37). Jesus is saying that the Father has testified to his identity, but the Jewish leaders had not recognized it. The Father’s testimony is greater than any human testimony.

The Testimony of the Scriptures

Finally, Jesus presents the fourth witness, the Scriptures. He says, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39). Jesus is saying that the Scriptures point to him as the Messiah. The Jewish leaders had studied the Scriptures, but they had missed the true meaning of them.

Application to Our Lives Today

The message of John 5:30-38 is relevant to our lives today. We live in a world that is full of voices that claim to speak the truth. We need to be discerning and test everything against the standard of God’s Word. Jesus’ words in John 5:30-38 remind us that we need to look to him as the ultimate authority. He is the Son of God, and his words are true.

The Authority of Jesus in Our Lives

Jesus’ authority is not just a historical fact; it is a present reality. He is alive, and he still speaks to us through his Word and his Spirit. We need to submit to his authority in our lives and follow his will. As we do so, we will experience the abundant life that he promised (John 10:10).

The Testimony of the Holy Spirit

Just as Jesus presented witnesses to his identity, the Holy Spirit also testifies to the truth of Jesus. Jesus promised his disciples that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit speaks to us today through the Word of God, and we need to listen to his voice.

The Importance of Studying the Scriptures

Jesus’ words in John 5:39 remind us of the importance of studying the Scriptures. The Scriptures are not just a collection of ancient writings; they are the inspired Word of God. They point us to Jesus as the Savior of the world. We need to study the Scriptures diligently and ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand their meaning.

The Danger of Missing the True Meaning of the Scriptures

The Jewish leaders had studied the Scriptures, but they had missed the true meaning of them. They had become so focused on their own traditions and interpretations that they had missed the Messiah when he came. We need to be careful not to make the same mistake. We need to approach the Scriptures with humility and a willingness to let God speak to us through them.

The Importance of Testifying to Jesus

Jesus’ words in John 5:33-38 remind us of the importance of testifying to Jesus. Just as John the Baptist had borne witness to the truth, we also need to testify to the truth of Jesus. We need to share the good news of salvation with those around us and point them to Jesus as the only way to eternal life.

Conclusion

The message of John 5:30-38 is a powerful reminder of the authority of Jesus and the importance of submitting to his will. As we study the Scriptures and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, we will grow in our understanding of who Jesus is and what he has done for us. May we be faithful witnesses to the truth of Jesus and point others to him as the Savior of the world.