Scripture Daily

Context No. 3581 of 4322 · John

Context · Reflection

John 5:31-38: in context

31“If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid. 32It is another who testifies about me. I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true. 33You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. 34But the testimony which I receive is not from man. However, I say these things that you may be saved. 35He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me. 37The Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form. 38You don’t have his word living in you, because you don’t believe him whom he sent.

Jesus points to the witnesses that testify to who he is. John the Baptist bore witness, a burning and shining lamp in whose light people rejoiced for a while. But Jesus says he has a witness greater than John's, namely the works the Father gave him to accomplish, his miracles, his mercy, his whole life, which testify that the Father sent him.

And beyond even these, the Father himself testifies to the Son. Yet Jesus tells his hearers a hard truth: you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one he has sent. There is more than enough testimony; the problem is not any lack of evidence but hearts closed against it. The witnesses to Jesus are abundant, John's testimony, the works themselves, the Father's own witness in Scripture, but testimony only convinces a heart willing to receive it. God has given ample witness to his Son; the real question is whether we let his word abide in us and truly believe.

Do I receive the abundant witness God has given to his Son, letting his word abide in me, or do I let a closed heart keep me from believing despite all the evidence?

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