John 5:37-44, The Witness of Scripture

37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen,  38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.  39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.  41 I do not receive glory from people.  42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.  43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.  44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 

Jesus says that the unseen God has revealed himself through his voice in the written Scriptures. He implies that he, the Christ, is also revealed in the Scriptures. Yet the learned leaders of Israel cannot recognize him because of their preconceived and incorrect ideas of who the Christ should be. In a sense, they have recreated him in their own image instead of the true image of God. 

Several years ago, I hosted a conference, inviting other clergy and church leaders to learn from a Christian writer about church growth and the hindrances to it. I arrived early at the venue to meet him and help get him set up. The only one there was a janitor who was repositioning the chairs and putting the projector in place. After a while, other clergy on the host committee arrived. I began to wonder about the speaker. Where was he? I looked toward the janitor again and saw him sitting down (on the job). Examining his face, I concluded he was the speaker. I had expected more professional clothing. Like the leaders of Jesus’ time, I overlooked this man because of my preconceived ideas. He did not look the part to me. 

The Scriptures are the sixth witness so far in John’s Gospel about who Jesus is. The Jewish leaders have had access to all these witnesses, yet they refuse to believe in Jesus. Jesus gives the real reason they are blind to his identity. It is that they seek the praises of men rather the glory of God. Their religion is not one of grace but of human work. The message and life of Jesus contradict their preconceived religious understanding. Instead of grappling with Jesus, they will seek to kill him. 

Consider where you have gotten things wrong about Jesus before. Perhaps you have been quick to judge. Perhaps you have been blind to the work of Jesus in your life and have been ungrateful. Perhaps there is something you need to repent of today. Pray now to the Lord about these things.