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How much Proof do you need?
How much Proof do you need?
v.33 John the Baptist
v.33
The Jews allude later in v. 8:13 that anything Jesus says about himself must be false. This is certainly what Jesus wasn’t saying a verse earlier. He understands their need for corroborating evidence, human testimony, although Jesus needs no human testimony, Amen? Therefore, Jesus brings up John the Baptist, not for his sake, but for the sake of his hearers.
John the Baptist was wildly popular, he was that prophetic figure, in the wilderness, crying out to a people who hadnt heard God for over 400 years. And the very jews Jesus is talking to probably went out to the wilderness to visit The Baptist, maybe were excited about what he said, but it was superficial. The only rejoiced and celebrated “for a while” (5:35). Jesus alluded to that very notion that people who rejoiced over John the Baptist did it for an enjoyable spiritual experience, they were seeking a self emotional response. Jesus said (v.34) these things that you may be saved.
So many come to church today as they did John the Baptist to revel, to feel a sensation.
We are a plain church. A relatively unknown puritan reformer William Perkins (whose penned works sold more than Calvin) said the plainer the better for the purpose of highlighting Christ.
We must lift up Christ, and the Bible. That is all that is needed. All else is just sensation.
Also note the “lamp” vs. “light”. Jesus is the light. John is the lamp, that sheds light. Just like any good witness, their purpose is to shed light on someone or something else.
v.34-36.
Jesus states there is even greater testimony: Miracles
Ironically, a miracle is what led to the entire interaction we are currently discussing. In fact, the Jews were only concerned with the act of performing the miracle, their hearts are so hardened, they miss the entire act and sign of God in Jesus Christ!
two points:
Miracles are to aide our belief
Miracles are to display God’s Glory
Miracles are testimony in themselves for the unbelieving
“Jesus here used an argument that was understood in His day but which seems to go over our heads today—the purpose of miracles. Many people today look at the biblical miracles and say, “The miracles in the Bible prove the existence of God.” No, they don’t. The existence of God is established before a single miracle takes place. For a miracle to be recognized as a miracle presupposes the existence of God, because a miracle, technically and correctly defined, is a work that only God can do, such as bringing something out of nothing or bringing life out of death. For this reason, I plead with you not to fall into thinking that Satan can do actual miracles. He can perform tricks, but he can’t do what God can do.
So rather than proving the existence of God, the biblical miracles serve to authenticate the messenger sent from God.”
Sproul, R. C. (2009). John (p. 94). Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing.
And this from Hebrews:
It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
2. Even Nicodemus several chapters earlier recognized and acknowledged this, and stated so. Jesus isn’t saying that the miracles he is doing proves he is the son of God. He is saying that the works he did show he is the son of God.
Some bring up the fact that some OT prophets performed miracles…so how does Jesus have credibility in citing miracles for showing his deity? Calvin notes:
It may be asked, Are miracles sufficient to prove this; for similar miracles had been already performed by the Prophets? I reply, those miracles which God performed by the agency of the Prophets did not go beyond the purpose for which they were intended, namely, to show that they were the ministers of God, because they could in no other way obtain the authority due to their office. But God intended to exalt his Son more highly, and this purpose of God ought to be regarded by us as the design of miracles. Therefore, if the Jews had not been prejudiced by malice and voluntarily shut their eyes, Christ might easily have proved to them by his miracles who and what he was.
I think of Pharoah here.
Jesus’ miracles are not easily explained as exaggerations. Even Paul brings this fact to bear in
6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
In each miracle, Jesus intended not merely to display proofs of his deity, but also to inspire faith in those who saw the signs. No one can claim that unbelief is justified by a lack of evidence.
3. And finally on miracles, this excerpt from Simon Greenleaf who lived in the early 1800’s. He was a lawyer and wrote a multi volume work on how to assess evidence. He was an atheist. He sifted the bible namely the 4 synoptic gospels, through his rules of evidence process, and became saved because of how the testimony of these men about Christ and the miracles he performed.
v.37-38 God
Calvin, J., & Pringle, W. (2010). Commentary on the Gospel according to John (Vol. 1, pp. 215–216). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
John, Volumes 1 & 2 The Miracles’ Witness to Christ
Their master had recently perished as a malefactor, by the sentence of a public tribunal.… The laws of every country were against the teachings of the disciples. The interests and passions of all the rulers and great men in the world were against them. The fashion of the world was against them. Propagating this new faith, even in the most inoffensive and peaceful manner, they could expect nothing but contempt, opposition, revilings, bitter persecutions, stripes, imprisonments, torments, and cruel deaths. Yet this faith they zealously did propagate; and all these miseries they endured undismayed, nay, rejoicing.… The annals of military warfare afford scarcely an example of the like heroic constancy, patience, and unblenching courage.… It is therefore impossible that they could have persisted in affirming the truths they have narrated, had not Jesus actually risen from the dead, and had they not known this fact as certainly as they knew any other fact.
v.37-38.
The disciples testimony about the life and miracles of Jesus compels our belief in God, and is a source of belief for others.
The disciples testimony about Christ is compelling because of their credibility as witnesses. and the miracles Christ performed compel our belief all the more.
John, Volumes 1 & 2 The Miracles’ Witness to Christ
In each miracle, Jesus intended not merely to display proofs of his deity, but also to inspire faith in those who saw the signs. No one can claim that unbelief is justified by a lack of evidence. If you are not willing to reckon seriously with the testimony of Jesus’ miracles, you merely display the same hardness of heart as those who falsely accused him and put him to death on the cross.
v.37-38 God
Lastly for today, Jesus names God as his 3rd witness. And Jesus uses direct testimony to him as the divine son and messiah.
Most scholars agree that Jesus is likely attesting to the times when the voice of God was audibly heard. He uses the word phone in v.37. And in v. 38 he uses the word logos, referring to God’s word in the scriptures. Jesus will further explain that in the next few verses, which Mike will go over next week. What we want to put into our minds right now is God gave direct evidence about Jesus as his divine son and testified to him in the whole entirety of the Scriptures. This is an even greater witness to Christ than the Baptist or the miracles.
“His voice you have never heard” all through scripture holy men were in communication with their holy God. Noah, Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Elijah, etc. These men and the israelites with them heard God’s thundering voice. The fact similiar things happened during this period and the accusers here do not or had not experienced them indicates that the word of God does not abide in them, v. 38.
There is an important point to note in these 2 verses:
-On the one hand we come to faith through God’s word. says “faith comes by hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.
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yet at the same time, it is believing the Bible and its testimony of Christ through with the act of regeneration allows someone to encounter God. It is the humble believer, who finally recognizes their standing before a holy and righteous God that can see “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” ()
so it was a tragedy that the Jews here devoted themselves to the teachings, to the practice of the law, and did not hear God’s word at all. And this still happens today.
People devote themselves to good actions and intentions, but the bottom line is what do you make of Christ?? There can be doubts and questions, but belief in Jesus the son of God, means you devote your life to learning more about him and committing to him. There is no greater cause for judgement that we learned about last week than rejecting the son of God.
And for the Christian, you’re on a see-saw with christ, only one person can be elevated at a time on a see saw. We must make little of ourselves, of our place. When we believe we need the bible and… you commit treason against the word of God. youth group, activities, banners, lights, buildings, even pastors, these point to man and our pride.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
The plainer the better.
Pray with me.
Lord God, creator and sustainer, please please give this church a revival in spirit. Make us a lamp as John the baptist was, that we may shine light on you. Let us not put our hope in other worldy things or ideas of man, but let us rest on you and your word, to cut to man’s heart, to save the lost, and to glorify you lord, i want my actions to be for your glory. Cleanse our hearts lord, please, Amen.
