The Book of John - 31d

Introduction - We have been looking at the Lord’s dialogue, found in John 5.

There are three different sections in this passage.

We have dealt with the first two.

In verses 19-23, we saw that the Lord claimed equality with God the Father.

In verses 24-29, we saw that the Lord claimed to have the authority to raise the dead.

In this last section, the Lord presents the valid witnesses to His deity.

III. He claimed His witnesses to His deity were valid. (Vs. 30-47)

Let’s read this section of Scripture and then pray.

John 5:30–47 “30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. 31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. 32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. 33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. 37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41 I receive not honour from men. 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”

Let’s Pray

What of the greatest mysteries in all of the Bible, is the mystery of the GodMan.

In the book of John, though His deity is emphasized, His humanity is also brought forth.

Verse 30 is one of these statements.

In verse 19 and 20, we saw a statement of equality.

But here in verse 30 we see a statement of submission but also a personal testimony— of Himself being a witness.

I like what John Phillips stated, “As Son of God, the Son did nothing of himself, nothing self-determined. That would be impossible. There is perfect harmony within the godhead. As Son of man, the role in which the Lord acts as judge, the statement raises other issues. As God, the Lord did not have to obey. Who does God obey? God obeys no one. God is pre-existent and self-existent. His is omniscient and omnipotent. But when the Son of God became the Son of man he learned to do what God had never done. He “learned obedience” (Hebrews 5:8). Luke says of the boy jesus that He went back to Nazareth with Joseph and Mary “and was subject unto them” (Luke 2:51). When Jesus said, “I can of mine own self do nothing,” He was referring to himself primarily as Son of man. It is amazing statement. He was God behaving as man, perfect man. He learned, as man, to obey God, in order to demonstrate to man the truth about man: that man can do nothing without God.”

This was a statement of witness in itself, which would be revisited again in John 8. But the truth that is conceded is that His witness of Himself ordinarily would not be admissible alone in man’s legal court.

Notice verse 31.

John 5:31 “31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.”

So, what other witnesses would the Lord present?

Here are the witnesses presented:

The witness concerning Himself. vs. 30,31

The witness of John the Baptist. vs. 32-35

The witness of His works. vs. 36

The witness of God the Father. vs. 37-38

The witness of the Word of God. vs. 39-47

Let’s read verses 32-35.

John 5:32–35 “32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. 33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.”

One expositor made this statement, “Man’s own testimony is unacceptable and suspicious. The witness of a man has to be supported by other witnesses, and at least two witnesses are required. This is one of the most fundamental laws of society throughout the world. (See De. 17:6; 19:15; Mt. 18:16; 2 Co. 13:1; 1 Ti. 5:19.) This is the point that Jesus was making. Note how He was stooping down to the level of man.”

Leadership Ministries Worldwide, The Gospel according to John, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2004), 116.

There are two facts concerning this:

First, it highlights the fallen condition of man, that man’s word, by itself is untrustworthy.

We of course understand that this is not the case with the Savior, because He is the God-man. But, nonetheless, from man’s perspective the fact that multiple witnesses must establish every truth speaks to our fallen state.

Secondly, it shows the love of Christ/God for man. He came to seek and to save that which was lost.

God’s love for us is so much, that He is willing to ‘explain’ Himself to His creation. God’s mercy and forbearance towards us is amazingly seen in His dealings with humanity.

During our Revival services, you will remember how the evangelist brought out how God dealt with Moses.

These and other examples could be multiplied, as God not only deals with those who are His, but fallen humanity.

The Lord indicates that there is another that bears witness— which has been credited by many to mean the testimony of the Father in verses 37 and 38. But that withstanding He presents:

The witness of John the Baptist.

In verse 33, the allusion is to what we find in John 3:23-28.

In reference to that incident, He here states,

John 5:33 “33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.”

You will remember that the religious leaders has sent a delegation to John, who readily admitted he was not the Christ.

This is an amazing commendation for John the Baptist.

Will this be the commendation that we receive concerning our witness of the Lord?

At the judgement seat of Christ, before the eternal God, will He say __________, you bare witness to the truth through you life and your lips.

The Lord had many great things to say about John.

“The Jews found themselves out of their depth when the Lord appealed to God, his Father, as giving Him the right to act as he did. They certainly were not prepared to admit that God was his Father. Far from convincing them, the claim infuriated them.” (Tenney)

Concerning John, the verb and tense of the verb used here, to “…bare witness unto the truth…” (μαρτυρέω) vs.33 means a permanent and continuing witness.

John was a consistent stedfast witness for theLord.

John had announced that Jesus was the Lamb of God (1:29,36) and the Son of God (1:34).

John the Baptist was faithful unto the very end.

Ironically, the word witness is where we get the English word martyr. (μαρτυρία - marturia).

John the Baptist was in fact martyred for His testimony of truth. (Matthew 14)

Verse 33 tells us that He bore witness to the truth.

No only that Jesus is the Christ, but to Jesus Himself who is the Truth. (John 14:6)

In verse 34 we find the very reason for this presentation of earthly witnesses.

John 5:34 “34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.”

The Lord’s presentation of John the Baptist was for man.

The Lord did not need testimony from man—- but God loves us so much that He condescends to man—to save as many as will receive Him.

One expositor stated this sobering truth, “Jesus did not need or plead the witness of a mere man. The implication for man is clear: men should not plead the witness of a mere man when dealing with eternal issues that determine their destiny. The testimony of God’s Son should be counted the strongest of witnesses, yet tragically men want the testimony of other men just like themselves.”

Remember the Lord Himself, did not receive the witness of men (John 2:24-25).

John 2:24–25 states, “24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”

The Lord’s testimony of John continues and tells us that He was a burning and shining light! (vs. 35), but sadly, they only rejoiced in that light for a season.

John 5:35 “35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.”

This is the sad response of man is it not?

People who are stirred in the flesh and not in the heart only stay around for a season.

They are constantly tossed around by the waves and currents of the world.

They are fascinated easily by the newness of a fad or the shine of an object.

Similarly, this would be seen even in those who initially were called disciples of the Lord.

The fact was that the nation “acknowledged that John was a prophet, and there was no more to be said. Either John was deluded or deceived, or was divinely inspired. Not even the authorities would have dared to challenge John’s prophetic call.” (Phillips)

This is seen in Matthew 21:25–26 as the Lord spoke with the religious leaders. He stated, “25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? 26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.”

But this was not the end of the Lord’s case for His witnesses. He then presents:

b. The witness of His works.

John 5:36 “36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.”

There are four things to understand about this:

His works are a greater witness than that of John the Baptist

His works are the Father’s works.

His works were given by God the Father.

His works bear witness that the Father had sent Him.

Over and over again, in the book of John, the Lord repeatedly testified to the significance of every action that He took. (John 9:4, 10:25, 37-38, 14:11, 15:24)

“John uses the expression “the works” in his gospel to depict both the natural and the supernatural in the life of Christ- all ministered to the same end of demonstrating deity and humanity. The “many works” of Jesus (7:3,9:3,10:25,32,37,14:10,15:24) were all part of the one “work” he had come to do,”

All of these wonderful things that the Lord did, were purposeful, they were planned.

When John the Baptist himself doubted, you will remember what the Lord told Him.

Matthew 11:4–6 “4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”

This was a quotation of credentials from Isaiah 35:4–6 “4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: Behold, your God will come with vengeance, Even God with a recompence; He will come and save you. 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, And the tongue of the dumb sing: For in the wilderness shall waters break out, And streams in the desert.”

The Lord’s works“…were so unusual—so full of power and wisdom, love and care, glory and honor to God—that all men who failed to see and believe were without excuse.”

Leadership Ministries Worldwide, The Gospel according to John, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2004), 117.”

John Phillips stated this, “So many and so varied were the works of the Lord Jesus, exhibiting his divine power over the elements, over inanimate objects and the ordinary forces of nature, over demons and disease, even over death itself, that unbelief was wholly and without excuse.”

In John 17:4 the Lord testifies that He completed the works that God gave Him to do, “4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”

In verses 37 and 38 the Lord makes another striking statement.

John 5:37–38 “37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.”

The fact is, that everything that preceded the Lord’s advent was preparatory and pointing toward the advent of the Lord.

Galatians 4:4 states, “4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,”

Every time God spoke, every time God appeared, every time God acted pointed toward the time of the Lord’s incarnation.

And now, the incarnate Word stood before them.

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 1:1–3 “1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

The culminating witness of God to man is Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ!

However, in spite of this, they believed not. They had not heard His voice, they had not His word abiding in them.

Which leads to the final witness.

This is where it all comes to, the witness of the Word of God.

You and I were not born in the 1st century. We were born in the 21st century. We can thank the Lord for the testimony of His Word!

You will remember that Peter stated this, 2 Peter 1:19–21, “19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

“The word translated “search” here means to “search diligently” or “search anxiously.” It was applied to miners, who search for precious metals - who look anxiously for the “bed” of the ore with an intensity or anxiety proportionate to “their sense” of the value of the metal.” (Albert Barnes)

The idea in this verse is twofold,

The first is the importance of search diligently the Word of God.

The Bereans were commended for searching the Scriptures (Acts 17:11)

Timothy was said to have known the Holy Scriptures from a child (2 Timothy 3:15), but further that they are able to make us wise unto Salvation. That leads to the second point.

They had searched the Scriptures, however they missed the Person of the Scriptures and point of them, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 40 seems to indicate a stubborn refusal, by these who had poured through what they had of the Word of God, to come to the Lord Jesus Christ.

How tragic to read the Word of God, while missing the God of the Word!

How tragic to study this book as nothing more than an academic anomaly.

You see the Lord tells us, (vs. 39)“…they [meaning the Scriptures] are they which testify of the Lord.”

In the remaining verses, there are many terrible statements of people who reject Jesus Christ and His Claims:

People refuse to come to Christ.

John 5:40–41 “40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41 I receive not honour from men.”

People do not love God.

John 5:42 “42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.”

People accept false Messiahs.

John 5:43 “43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”

People seek the approval and honor of mere men.

John 5:44 “44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?”

People do not believe prophecy- do not believe Moses’ writing.

John 5:45–46 “45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.”

People do not believe the word of the true Messiah.

John 5:47 “47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”