John 5:30-39, Can I Get a Witness?

Jesus is God, the Father is the witness.

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 35

Introduction: Give a witness illustration

Jesus had claimed equality in nature, works, judgement & honor, and truth in our previous message.

The good Son- imitates the father, is obedient, watcheJohn 5:30-39, Can I Get a Witness?s and learns.

As we take a moment to honor Father’s today remember that he is an example, a protector, a teacher, a guide, and is creating an heir to leave a legacy. Our job is to leave a legacy of faith. A legacy that others can build on- a foundation. We need to be remembered a someone who pointed to Christ, preached Christ, and prepared others to meet Christ. All for the Father’s glory!

Read John 5:30-39.

Jesus had just made the claim that He is equal to the Father because He does what the Father does. He does not seek His own agenda or initiative. He is dependent on the will of the Father. He is working in the perfect unity of God because He is God.

I continue to point to theme of John’s gospel account in John 20:31 “but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”

Jesus is God. Plain and simple message. The only message in fact. If you do not believe this you will burn in Hell forever. Jesus states it in His “I am” statements. These point to Christ because He is the “I am”. Remember He is speaking to the Jews (religious leadership) in defense of His actions on the Sabbath as He simply put- He is working because His father was working. Following the Father’s example!

Jesus knows the Law and then proceeds, in verse 31, to remind them of the OT court regimen and prepares to provide witnesses to this truth. Deuteronomy 19:15 ““A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.”

Today we will look at the witnesses Jesus provides as evidence that He is God. in Verse 32, Jesus announces the other witness to who He is. The Father is the other and His testimony is always true. The verses that follow give the true testimony of the Father.

Let’s look at the first witness. Verse 33, Jesus points to John. John 1:32–34 “John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.””

The Jews sent people to John. They considered him a prophet. John 1:7 “He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.”

John 1:17 “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”

John 1:26–28 “John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. “It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.”

They loved what John had to say about the coming Messiah. He was the last OT prophet but they rejected the one God sent. Remember Jesus came into His own and they received Him not.

Verse 34 is the completion of this testimony. This was a testimony that was above reproach. John came with a different message from God. They asked by what authority he was baptizing. It was one of repentance and a baptism that was humbling. It was a message of salvation and it came from God. His was a baptism of public conversion. Matthew 21:23–27 “When He entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. “The baptism of John was from what source, from heaven or from men?” And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ “But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the people; for they all regard John as a prophet.” And answering Jesus, they said, “We do not know.” He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

The Jews refused to acknowledge that this was the One that John was the forerunner of. He was the prophet of God, commissioned by God. Luke 1:76–77 ““And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins,”

Verse 35 is Jesus speaking of the Jews recognition of John. John had a purpose, he was the light. The lamp lit and burning. Pointing to the coming son. The Jews received this gladly. They rejoiced but rejected. Clearly the rejoicing ceased at some time and a true saint never stops rejoicing in the truth. Much like a sinners heart they accepted the messenger but rejected the message.

2. The second evidence (better) that the Father provides is the witness of works.

The Jews recognized the wonders and signs. Nicodemus, who was the leader in the temple came to Jesus and confessed as much. John 3:1–2 “Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.””

The knew the works the Messiah would do, John 10:37 ““If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;” Jesus was doing the work. We see it prophesized in Isaiah 35:5–6 “Then the eyes of the blind will be opened And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy.

Jesus’ words to John in Matthew 11:4–5 “Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive 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.”

Jesus is preaching the obvious- if it walk like a duck and talks like a duck, it’s a duck!

The Jews confront Jesus again in John 10:24–26 “The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.”

3. This brings us to the next witness: the witness of the Father. They can’t follow Jesus words because they do not know the Father. They haven’t listened, Matthew 3:17 “and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.””

The couldn’t follow the words of God because they had long since replaced God’s word for their own. They reference the Word but do not follow it. That is the method of control they use. Look at the Sabbath. Totally hijacked for their own purpose.

Verse 38 points how they can’t follow. They have God on them and not in them. 1 John 2:14 “I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” Hearing God is possible when you operate in His word. You know it, obey it, and love it. It is your guide and protection through life’s many pitfalls and dangers. God’s Word will see you safely through to the end. He cannot and will not fail you.

God reveals Himself in 3 ways: His messengers, His works, and His word. We see Jesus point out the same witnesses in this passage: John the Baptist, His signs and wonders, and scripture. Luke 24:27 “Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”

All they had was the OT writings, the NT was being written as they were living it.

4. The last evidence the Father provides is the witness of scripture.

All through the OT Jesus can be found on every page if you look for Him. The Law and the Prophets point to the coming Messiah. Most notable in the Book of Isaiah. Isaiah 9:6–7 “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.”

Jesus tells them to “search the scriptures”. Is this a command? Or a rebuke because they can’t hear God.

They believe that the words save them. By hearing the words and then working to obey and command others to do the same that they will earn a place in Heaven. All the work won’t get you there. It just takes 1 witness. Jesus.

There are 2 themes in the OT: man is helplessly rebellious (can’t stop sinning), Matthew 19:16–25 “And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Then he said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. “Again I say to you, it is easier…” God will send a rescuer, a Savior. Look then to Matthew 19:26 “And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”” And secondly, God will provide a rescuer. A Savior who is Christ the Lord.

All the work would not bring them eternal life. The scriptures point to only 1 salvation: Jesus Christ. John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

Let me close with this:

1 John 5:11–12 “And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”

Next week we will learn to dive in to receiving Jesus as God. God has provided a witness but you can state that and still miss the mark.

Let’s Pray.