The Witness of His Works John 5:36

1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV 1900)

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

This verse in its simplicity claims that unsaved men cannot understand the truth of God, they cannot open their eyes to what God is saying or doing plainly right in front of them.

Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in John 5, where Jesus is being accused by those men who should have noticed the signs and evidence in front of them. Yet, their eyes were blinded to the truth. They were accusing Messiah as being a blasphemer and a law breaker.

To these men, Jesus presented His case. He presented the witness of the Father, and demonstrated how He was equal with God because He is the Son of God, He presented the evidence of the witness of John the Baptist and how he plainly stated that Jesus was the Messiah, and today, we will see yet another witness which proves Jesus is the Son of God…the “works” which He fulfilled. Look at John 5:36

John 5:36 (KJV 1900)

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.

The miracles of Jesus spoke for themselves that He was the Son of God

What further proof could be needed?

The signs and miracles which Jesus worked, were in themselves...

A Greater Witness Than John

Actions truly do speak louder than words.

If these men would not be convinced by the witness of John, then maybe they would be convinced by the works of Christ! Some interesting words we see here...

Witness - to give testimony about something or the content of the testimony

If they were not willing to accept the words of John, Jesus tells them they can listen to the witness of the works

The phrase “greater witness” means a “weightier” witness than John

The works of Jesus carried more weight than anything John said about Him

How true is this!

A man can say anything about out anyone he wants to

That does not make it true!

However, Jesus was saying that His actions, His works, were all the proof necessary!

Let’s talk a minute about the...

Works - A task or set of tasks that is accomplished by someone

In common usage this word referred to tasks assigned to a servant to perform

No doubt Jesus chose this word carefully to demonstrate His submission to the Father

The idea behind this word being that He had been assigned a particular task(s) to accomplish by the Father

Jesus again is making the appeal to the works as proof of His claim to be equal with God

Who but God could turn water to wine?

Who but God could heal a sick boy at the point of death and not even be in the same town?

Who but God could heal a cripple man?

Could walk on water?

Could calm the storm?

Could cast out demons?

Could raise the dead?

Live a perfect life?

Die for the sins of the world?

Come back three days later?

Who but God?

Let the works speak for themselves! If you are not convinced that Jesus is the Son of God, you should be! The signs and miracles which Jesus worked were in themselves a greater witness than John and proved Jesus had....

A Greater Mission Than John

The works of Jesus were works which only He, the Son of God could do!

Jesus had a task assigned to Him

That is the meaning of the word “works” in this verse

A set of tasks that is to be accomplished by someone

In other words there was a task that only Jesus could accomplish

No one else Could

This task was “given” to Jesus by the Father directly,

The word given here is usually reserved for “a presentation of an offering”

The same word for “give” is used in John 3:16.

The Work Which Jesus had to finish, was the work of redemption

For all of his faithfulness, John the Baptist could never have accomplished this task

This was for the Son of God alone

God has assigned a task to you!

One of the greatest realizations of my life was understanding that God has a specific plan for my life. Something great, that only I can accomplish. And God as something just for you. You cannot accomplish my task and I cannot accomplish your’s, anymore than John could have finished Jesus work. It is up to you to devote yourself to finding what that work is. There is something that is God’s plan for everyone, and that is summed up in the last phrase of this verse in which Jesus reveals He has...

A Greater Purpose Than John

He was sent by the Father

So was John, 1:6...

The difference is, John was not the Son, Jesus was

John was sent to be a light, pointing the way to Jesus

He was not the Savior and never could have been, but Jesus...

He was sent to be your Savior

He left heaven and came to earth

He did what no man could do

He lived a perfect life, fulfilling the law

He came to die, so that you might live!

Conclusion: Jesus’ works were all the proof that He was who He claimed to be. He was God in the flesh, walking among men.

As wonderful as the message of John was, the works which Jesus worked were more than enough to demonstrate His power, His person, and His purpose.

Before we leave this place today I want you to know that no matter who you are, no matter what you have done, God loves you, and Jesus died for you.

I do not know your situation, I do not know your circumstances, but I do know that God is greater than your biggest need.

I do not know what you have experienced, I do not know who has let you down, but I do know that God will never leave you nor forsake you.

I know that right now, right where you are, if you will bow your head and ask for forgiveness, He will save your soul.