God’s Renewing Word of Wisdom
Introduction
John 5:30-47: Jesus refers to the witness of John the Baptizer and admonishes the religious leaders for having no love for God in their hearts. He says that the Scriptures speak of him and point to him as the source of eternal life.
Scripture Reading
Witnesses to Jesus
30 “I can do nothing on my own authority; I judge only as God tells me, so my judgment is right, because I am not trying to do what I want, but only what he who sent me wants.
31 “If I testify on my own behalf, what I say is not to be accepted as real proof. 32 But there is someone else who testifies on my behalf, and I know that what he says about me is true. 33 John is the one to whom you sent your messengers, and he spoke on behalf of the truth. 34 It is not that I must have a human witness; I say this only in order that you may be saved. 35 John was like a lamp, burning and shining, and you were willing for a while to enjoy his light. 36 But I have a witness on my behalf which is even greater than the witness that John gave: what I do, that is, the deeds my Father gave me to do, these speak on my behalf and show that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father, who sent me, also testifies on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his face, 38 and you do not keep his message in your hearts, for you do not believe in the one whom he sent. 39 You study the Scriptures, because you think that in them you will find eternal life. And these very Scriptures speak about me! 40 Yet you are not willing to come to me in order to have life.
41 “I am not looking for human praise. 42 But I know what kind of people you are, and I know that you have no love for God in your hearts. 43 I have come with my Father’s authority, but you have not received me; when, however, someone comes with his own authority, you will receive him. 44 You like to receive praise from one another, but you do not try to win praise from the one who alone is God; how, then, can you believe me? 45 Do not think, however, that I am the one who will accuse you to my Father. Moses, in whom you have put your hope, is the very one who will accuse you. 46 If you had really believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how can you believe what I say?”
Today’s Key Verse: John 5:43a
[Jesus said:] “I have come with my Father’s authority.”
Reflect
According to verses 31-37, who and what has testified on Jesus’s behalf? What does he say to the religious leaders (verses 38-47)? What impact do Jesus’s words have for living life today?
Pray
Lord Jesus, you are the source of eternal life, and your word is truth. Imprint your message on my heart, and may my words and actions this day reflect and bear witness to your love. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
John 6:1-24: Jesus feeds 5,000 people and walks on water.
