Witnesses to Jesus (2)

HOOK

You will notice that Jesus performed miracles and then he would follow it through with teachings— remember He said those works that He came to accomplish are proof that He was sent by our Father in heaven

Previously on THE MESSAGE, Jesus healed a man who doesn’t even know Him— invalid for 38 years— healed on a Sabbath

Jesus picked the time and place where to perform this miracle— there was a Jewish festival— Jerusalem was crowded— it was the Sabbath— Why? The succeeding events tells us that Jesus actually set the stage for His important declarations

He talked about His authority [as the Judge] and His testimony— before performing another miracle [which we will start looking into tomorrow]

He concluded His discourse with a strong rebuke to the crowd of Jewish people— most likely filled with Pharisees and Sadducees [it is always important that when you’re studying a passage, know WHO are the audience]

What or Who are the Pharisees and the Sadducees?

The Pharisees and the Sadducees are religious sects [a group of people with somewhat different religious belief] within Judaism [the religion of that generation who based their belief on the law of Moses [written in Torah]— pentateuch— first 5 books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy]

These two sects were essentially the ruling class of Jews in Israel during this time— both sects had members in the Sanhedrin [Jewish ruling council— very powerful— can decide almost about all things except the death punishment]

Despite these similarities— there were some major differences between these two sects

The Sadducees were the more wealthy and sophisticated group— they were politically minded and compromised with secular leaders in exchange for more power— they welcomed Roman rule, controlled the high priesthood, and held a majority in Sanhedrin

The Sadducees on the other hand, subscribed to a more literal interpretation of Mosaic Law and were exacting in keeping levitical purity— They viewed only the Torah (five books of Moses) as canonized scripture— they also placed a high priority on the fact the people have free will

In contrast, the Pharisees were seen as the sect of the common man, while the Sadducees were the more elite group

But both these groups are very religious— and Jesus rebuked [expressed sharp or strong disapproval] them for that— they knew the scriptures but would not believe who the scriptures is pointing to

Let’s see how Jesus talked to them— if you are in John 5:38 say AMEN!

BOOK

John 5:38–47 NLT

38 and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me—the one he sent to you. 39 “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! 40 Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life. 41 “Your approval means nothing to me, 42 because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. 43 For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. 44 No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God. 45 “Yet it isn’t I who will accuse you before the Father. Moses will accuse you! Yes, Moses, in whom you put your hopes. 46 If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. 47 But since you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”

LOOK

BUT THE SCRIPTURES POINT TO ME | V.39

Studying the scriptures [sacred text] was a central part of ancient Judaism— Jewish scribes meticulously copied the biblical text and developed detailed interpretations

The problem is— they were so engrossed [absorbed] by the scriptures that they did not see who the sacred texts is point pointing to

YOUR APPROVAL MEANS NOTHING TO ME | V.41

In the NIV it says— I do not accept glory from human being

AMP says— I receive not glory from men [I crave no human honor, I look for no mortal fame]

Jesus is not seeking fame and honor from other people— who are those other people?— those who do not have God’s love in them

His motivation was selfless and not self-seeking

YET IF OTHERS COME IN THEIR OWN NAME, YOU GLADLY WELCOME THEM | V.43

Jesus alluded to Israel’s tendency to accept false prophets who tell them what they want to hear

IF YOU BELIEVE MOSES, YOU WOULD BELIEVE ME BECAUSE HE WROTE ABOUT ME | V.46

Read DEUTERONOMY 8:15

TOOK

THE ENTIRE BIBLE POINTS TO JESUS

I CANNOT CLAIM THE PROMISES OF THE BIBLE WITHOUT ACCEPTING JESUS