John 5:31-47 The Proofs That Jesus Claim is True

John 5: 31--47  The Proofs That Jesus Claim is True

Introduction:

  • Jesus proves His claim is true
  • But claims has to be established by many witnesses
    • Anybody can make a claim.  Remember the proposed "trilemma"?  
      • A delusional man can claim to be God.  
      • The devil claims to be God.  2 Cor 4:4,  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
      • But if Jesus claims to be who He is, then He is divine   
    • How can one's claim be proven true?   Through Witnesses.   
      • Dt. 19:15 - One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
    • Because of this, even Jesus was hesitant to simply state his claim.   How did Jesus view his own testimony?  V. 31, "If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true."  
The Witness of John the Baptist (v.33-37))
  • what did the religious people do to John the baptist?   verse 33, You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth.   Nor that I accept human testimony; (a more divine witness is coming for sure)   but I mention it that you may be saved.'  
  • Who is John?   Verse 35, 
    • John was a lamp that burned and gave light, 
    • How did the religious leaders felt about John's light?   verse 35, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
  • Is there a more heavier witness than John?   verse 38, I have a testimony weightier than that of John.  
The Witness of the Father (v.38)
  • The Father is a witness through works of Christ.   verse 38, ...For the works that the Father has given me to finish - the very works that i am doing - testify that the Father has sent me.   
    • Nicodemus in John 3:2,  2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
    • John 10:33, "We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
  • Other than Jesus' works, the Father Himself claims that Jesus is His son. Verse 37, And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me  
    • Matthew 3:17 - Baptism. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
    • Matthew 17:5 - "While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
  • How is it that despite of the witnesses (John and the Father), many does not believe?   Verse 37,...you have never heard his voice nor seen his form,...
    • No matter how much the people claim to know God, they do not know him... 
    • Why?   Because they have never heard his voice, nor seen his form. 
      • But have not the Jews studied the words of God?   They have, but they have still missed his voice.   They have heard their rules - ... 
      • In contrast to the two commands of Christ, the Pharisees had developed a system of 613 laws, 365 negative commands and 248 positive laws... By the time Christ came it had produced a heartless, cold, and arrogant brand of righteousness. As such, it contained at least ten tragic flaws. (Click here)
    • Not only his voice did they miss, they missed his form  
    • What else have they missed?  verse 38, nor does his word dwell in you.. which brings the third witness

The Witness of the Word of God (v. 39 - 40)

  • 5:39, You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life.   
    • Some translations put this as a command, Search the scriptures... 
    • In this case however, Jesus chastises the religious leaders for missing the Son despite of their diligence.  
    • They read the book but missed the whole point.  Or missed the whole person. 
    • Verse 39, these are the very Scriptures that testify about me,....
      • Romans 10:4 - Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
The Witness of the Nature of Man (v. 41 - 44) / Normal human condition

  • Jesus declared, verse 41,  I do not accept glory from human beings.  This does not mean He doe not accept worship from human beings, but rather glory.  Jesus claim as God is not dependent on people's description of Him.   
    • Because man is a sinner
    • Because man's observation of the divine can easily be wrongly influenced.   Example, the golden calf in the Old Tetament   
  • How did Jesus know that man is limited to knowing God?   verse 42, Jesus said, but I know you.  
    • Jesus knows every man
    • Jesus knows what is in men
  • Man is insensitive of God's love     verse 42, I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.   
    • verse 16, they begin persecuting Jesus
    • verse 18, they're seeking all the more to murder Him
  • Man is insensitive of God's work.   verse 43, I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.  
    • John 12:37, But though He had performed so many signs, miracles, before them, yet they were not believing in HIm.   
  • Man is unreasonable to the things of God.   verse 44, How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?   
    • Remember when Pontius Pilate asked the people, whom shall I release, Barabas or Him who is called the King of the Jews?   
    • Unbelief is not the result of lack of evidence - but rather a hard heartedness of people   

The Witness of the Old Testament/Moses (v.45-47)

  • Verse 45, But do not think I will accuse you before the Father.   Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set.   
  • why Moses?   Because they ave read Moses' writings.   Technically those are the first five books of the Old Testament.  In the strictest sense, it points to the 10 commandments that Moses brought down from the mountain.   In both senses, the Jews have missed obeying the commands.   

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