A Light to the Nations

Bible Readings:

Isaiah 49:6b - “I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth."

 Acts 13:16-41 -

16 Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:

17 "The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out from it.

18 "For a period of about forty years He put up with them in the wilderness.

19 "When He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land as an inheritance -all of which took about four hundred and fifty years.

20 "After these things He gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.

21 "Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

22 "After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, 'I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY HEART, who will do all My will.'

23 "From the descendants of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus,

24 after John had proclaimed before His coming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

25 "And while John was completing his course, he kept saying, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not He. But behold, one is coming after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'

26 "Brethren, sons of Abraham's family, and those among you who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent.

27 "For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, recognizing neither Him nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning Him.

28 "And though they found no ground for putting Him to death, they asked Pilate that He be executed.

29 "When they had carried out all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb.

30 "But God raised Him from the dead;

31 and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people.

32 "And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers,

33 that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, 'YOU ARE MY SON ; TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU.'

34 "As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: 'I WILL GIVE YOU THE HOLY and SURE blessings OF DAVID.'

35 "Therefore He also says in another Psalm, 'YOU WILL NOT ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.'

36 "For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay;

37 but He whom God raised did not undergo decay.

38 "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,

39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.

40 "Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you:

41 'BEHOLD, YOU SCOFFERS, AND MARVEL, AND PERISH; FOR I AM ACCOMPLISHING A WORK IN YOUR DAYS, A WORK WHICH YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE, THOUGH SOMEONE SHOULD DESCRIBE IT TO YOU.' "

[NASB]

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Before Acts 13, the disciples had commissioned Saul to go from the Promised Land to the dispersed Jews and Gentiles because whenever he spoke to Jews in Israel, the Jewish leaders agitated the crowds to hurt or arrest Saul. In Damascus and Jerusalem, the believers of Jesus secretly helped Saul to escape their cities. In Chapter 13, Paul traveled from Antioch of Syria, to Cyprus, and on to Galatia, to a town called Antioch of Pisidia, present day Turkey. Antioch of Pisidia was founded in around 2 AD and made a Roman city around 25 AD. Several of the members of the imperial household had served as magistrates there. This city was mostly Hellenistic, but the Romans had transplanted many Jews there for economic and political reasons. These are the people to whom Paul and Barnabas spoke. 

The city was not a temple city, but had enough Jews in it to call for a synagogue where the Jews and Gentile believers in Yahweh met for the reading of the Law (the first 5 books of our Bible written by Moses) and the Prophets. (Acts 13:15) The leaders of the synagogue heard of Paul when his name was Saul. They recognized his educational and rabbinical training. Saul’s presence in their synagogue honored them so they asked him to speak. Paul addressed them, “Men of Israel and you who fear God: listen.” Paul understood to whom he spoke, Jews as well as Gentiles. He knew how to speak to these God-reverencers. Paul motioned with his hand as many speakers do to quiet the crowd. He began with a command to listen – hear what I say and consider it. Paul was going to take them on a journey of the memory. 

He tells all the listeners, but appears to be speaking to the non-Jews. He said, “The God of this people Israel chose our fathers.” (vs. 17) God chose the Israelites to be His children. The Israelites did nothing to earn it, but God chose them on whom to show His lovingkindness and mercy. This God brought them out of Egypt, directed them through the wilderness, and gave them the Promised Land of which He has promised to Abraham. God gave them judges to guide them and gave them a King through Saul when they asked. Because King David was a “man after God’s own heart” (vs. 22), God promised that from his seed, a son would come who would set up God’s kingdom forever. (Acts 13:23; see 1 Chronicles 17:12, 22:10; 2 Samuel 7:13-14, 16; Isaiah 9:7, 49:6) Up to this point, Paul preached to them what the Jews knew. This had been a history lesson for them from the Law, Prophets, and historical chronicles. The Jews knew the prophets had foretold that a Savior would come from the line of David. Paul next began to weave the Old Testament (Law and Prophets) with what he understood to be true concerning the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  

Paul wove the Messiah who promised from the line of David to Jesus. He “proved” to the God-believers of Pisidian Antioch just as he did to the God-believers in Damascus, how Jesus was the promised Messiah from the line of David. In Acts 9:22, Luke said, “Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.” [NASB] This “proving” means knitting together. The Jews in Damascus were shocked because Saul, the persecutor of believers in Jesus, not only was preaching as a believer in Jesus, but he was proving with great prowess and persuasion that this man they recognized as Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Savior sent from Yahweh. Saul/Paul knitted the Scriptures the Jews had to the prophecies’ fulfillment by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Galilee. This is the same proving Paul taught in Pisidian Antioch. He drew in the believers of Yahweh in Pisidian Antioch with the reminder of God who had been with them in history and in the prophecies about the coming Messiah. Paul wove the God they acknowledged  with the current times. He knit in their minds their old history with Yahweh with the new present reality of Jesus as God’s Son. The Messiah of the Old Testament is the same Messiah of the New Testament, Jesus Christ. The Jews did not have to give up their history. They just had to add the rest of the story, the fulfillment of the prophecies. 

Paul continued with the rest of the story explaining how Jesus is the Messiah sent by God. Paul said in verse 23, “God has brought to Israel as Savior.” [NASB] Paul continued by showing how John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism by repentance to all the people of Israel. (vs. 24) He stated that John said he was not the Messiah and he was not worthy to tie the sandals of Him. Paul drew his sermon to a head by saying, “Brethren, sons of Abraham's family, and those among you who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent.” (vs. 26) This message of deliverance from our judgment has been sent. “Hear and attend,” he is telling everyone. The leaders in Jerusalem and in the synagogue who taught and studied Scriptures and should have known that Jesus was the Messiah are the ones who persecuted Him and put Him to death as the prophecies foretold. God fulfilled the prophecies through the Jews. (vs. 29) God raised Jesus from the dead. (vs. 30) He appeared with His disciples and it was these disciples who witnessed His resurrection. These disciples testify to His resurrection, to His life, works, and words. God fulfilled His promise in that He raised Jesus from the grave back to life. (vs. 33) 

Paul expounded on how the listeners could accept as certain that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah. He gave proof from Psalm 2:7, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you.” Paul said God fulfilled the promise to David that David’s seed would not end and his kingdom would reign forever. God fulfilled the prophecy that the Messiah would not see decay, would not decompose as stated in Psalm 16:10. Paul said that David, who was a man after God’s heart, had not experienced this. David’s body was laid to rest at his death and it decayed. The promised seed of David, Jesus, would not decay. God fulfilled that promise, too.  

Paul, from verse 38, spoke these things to them and showed them proof that Jesus was the promised Messiah. He brought his sermon to a climax. He said, “Therefore.” This means, since Jesus is the fulfillment of all God’s promises, hear and acknowledge this  – “Through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38b-39 [NASB]) Before the coming of Jesus, you had to live up to the Law that Moses gave you and offer regular sacrifices to God for your sins. Those sacrifices were never enough to wipe your name off the guilty judgment list. Now, through God’s sacrificing of His Son, who is Jesus, you can have forgiveness for every one of your sins for now and forever. The sacrifice of Jesus was the perfect sacrifice and no other sacrifice will ever be needed again if you trust He is the Son of God. The Law of Moses was not perfect to remove your sins and errors forever, only for that one moment in time. Jesus has made permanent forgiveness available to you if you will acknowledge and trust Him. 

Paul included all his hearers in this message. He included hearers and readers for all of time in it. He said, “Through Him everyone who believes…” The Gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ is not just for the Jews, as so many thought. It was for Jew and Gentile. It was for all people. The God of the Israel through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus, included all people as children of God. We, each of us, are created in His image and made to be in a relationship with God from the beginning of creation. (See Genesis 1:27) Isaiah 49:6 states that the salvation provided through Jesus is for all the nations so that it may reach to the ends of the earth. Peter attested in 2 Peter 3:9, that God does not want any to perish but that all would come to repentance. John stated in John 1:12, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” [NASB] Paul said in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” This Gospel of Jesus Christ, this good news, is for all people, Jew and Greek (non-Jew), slave and free, man and woman. (Galatians 3:28) We are all made one people in Jesus Christ. We are all forgiven by God through belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We are all given eternal life through Jesus Christ. 

Paul concluded his sermon with a warning. “Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you.” After this remembrance of who God has been for them and telling and convincing them of who Jesus was, Paul included a warning in case anyone considered dismissing what he said. His warning came from the Prophets, the people whom the Jews esteemed. This prophecy came from Habakkuk. Habakkuk 1:5 states, “Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days - You would not believe if you were told.” Paul reminded them that this prophecy was not God speaking only in that time, but it was applicable at all times. God was being more explicit than that though. Paul said this prophecy was for their time as well. God was doing something then. God was proclaiming who Jesus really was. It was so astonishing and wonderful, you might be inclined to not believe, but do not disbelieve. Believe! Observe; this Gospel is true and wonderful.

This is the first recorded sermon by Paul. He had been a staunch Jew who persecuted Jesus’ followers. He came to trust in Jesus after his encounter with Him on the road to Damascus. Paul learned the Law and Prophets by memory. Yet, Jesus broke into his reality and explained who He is, the Son of God, the awaited Messiah. Paul spent a long time with God after his first visit to Damascus. During that time, God “proved” to him who Jesus was. He “proved” that Jesus is the Son of God, the promised Messiah. God knit together the Law and Prophets with the fact of Jesus Christ being His promised Messiah. After proving this, Paul journeyed with Christ through the rest of his life. He spent his life telling every person he met that Jesus is the Son of God. Paul said, “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.” (vv. 38-39)  

This same message is true now. Jesus is the Son of God. Through Him, you can have forgiveness of your sins when you believe He is the Son of God “who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29 [NASB]) Through Jesus, you can have eternal life with God in heaven. Trust Jesus is God’s Son and your sins are forgiven. Jesus is our salvation. Jesus is the Savior for the entire world not just for some, but for everyone.

Our Identification

John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

            What does this verse mean? So often teachers and preachers speak of the action of laying down one’s life and they speak of what it means. They use the example of Christ and use it as the motivation for us to do the same for Him. I want to look at the actors in this verse. There are three: Jesus, His disciples, and others.

            We each go through life as the child of our parents, the partner of our spouse, and the employee of someone else. Jesus came to give us life abundantly. That gift has given us a new relationship title. We become the children of God who serve the High King like the Levites served God in the temple. This allows us the title of co-heir with Christ. As we grow, we become disciples of Christ. Farther in this relationship, we become friends: to Jesus and to others.

In the first phase, we become as the Israelites were when God first chose them to be His people. He wanted a relationship with the people He created. He wanted to be their God. He required their reverence and worship. As His children, they also had to remember they were subservient to Him. They, as His worshippers, had to realize who they were in relation to Him – small and humble compared to His majesty and power. There was such awe that they feared being in God’s presence. Our relationship with God, when we are first re-born is like this. We see how small and insignificant we are in relation to how infinite and mighty He is. We come before Him in humility and adoration knowing who we are and what He has made us to be by His love. We feel as if we should serve our heavenly King through our subservience since we can never be as great and mighty as He is. The humility we feel is correct. God is mighty, powerful, and majestic. He should be worshipped for who He is and for what He has done: Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Lord. We must go beyond this point though if we are to be in a growing relationship with God, though. We must never lose our awe and reverence for Him nor our perspective of Him and His might and majesty.

            In the second phase, when we grow beyond our initial gratefulness, subservience, and awe, we become aware that Jesus saved us for more than this. He left us with eyewitnesses who wrote His teachings down. We begin to see who the disciples are and become disciples ourselves. We walk with them through their three years with Jesus. We learn about the Son of God as foretold in the prophets of the Old Testament and as fulfilled by the coming of Jesus, God incarnate. We learn He has power over demons, illness, life, and death. We learn Jesus will be our judge on the last day. We also learn how to be His followers and what that means. Jesus is our Rabbi now, our teacher. We sit at His feet. We eat at His table. We walk in His footprints down the road with Him. In living with Him and learning to do these things, we learn to be like Jesus. As Jesus said, “He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing.” (John 5:19 [AMP]) As Jesus learned from His Father, so we learn from Jesus our Lord. We are His disciples. This growth phase includes the first phase of awe and subservience, but it includes discipleship now. It includes a commitment of our lives.

            The third phase of our growth in relation to God Jesus states in John 15:15, “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” [NASB] It is this phase of growth where our joy is made complete. This phase is when the Son and the Father are pleased with us and count us worthy to be called friend. What does this new status in regard to Jesus mean? He states it Himself like this: a friend lays down his life for his friend. (vs.13) Just as Jesus could not act without having seen the Father, we cannot act unless we see our teacher, Jesus, do it. So many of us read verse 13 as God telling us how great love regards one’s self - as nothing in compared to the value of another friend’s life. What I am saying is this verse tells us how to act and gives us value because of who we are - friends of Jesus. According to Jesus, His friends abide in Him; they live in Him just as He abides in the Father. Jesus states that we know we are abiding in Him if we keep His commandments. He says twice in the chapter what a friend is: friends have love for one another (the brethren) just as Jesus loves us. He states this in verses 12 and 17.

            This is the point we are growing toward – to be like Jesus, to love as Jesus loves. When we see beyond ourselves and how an act will affect us, we are no longer just disciples, but are identified with Christ. Prior to this we counted the cost when we were young converts and learning at the feet of Jesus. We are now walking in the shadow of Jesus and becoming the cost without thinking and without hesitation because we are so identified with Christ. This phase does not mean we have stopped growing in Christ, but is a phase where the growth is unconscious because the life of Christ through His Holy Spirit within us guides us in the way of Christ so we are unconsciously doing as He did, being as He is, and speaking as He spoke. When we reach the phase of our growth when we are unconscious of our own selves and no longer desire anything for ourselves is when Jesus is most consciously visible to others in our words and actions. That is when Jesus calls us friends.

            Jesus calls us His children, His disciples, and His friends. There is nothing we can do to earn any of these privileged titles. The gift of faith, which God gives us, enables us to believe Jesus is the Son of God. The gift of salvation enables us to have eternal life with Him. The gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to follow Jesus and grow more like Him. The only thing Jesus says we can do is this, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:10 [NASB]) Our part of all this is to keep Jesus’ commandments, His teachings. In doing this, we grow out of ourselves and into more unconscious Christlikeness. We do nothing to earn Jesus’ friendship other than lay down our lives for His. Be filled with His Spirit. Become a believer in Jesus as the Son of God. Become children of the Most High God. Be identified with the Messiah.

How Can You Learn to Believe?

          John chapter 5 ends with Jesus main question of the resistant unbelievers, the Pharisees. The main question.

How is it possible for you to believe [how can you learn to believe], you who are content to seek and receive praise and honor and glory from one another, and yet do not seek the praise and honor and glory which come from Him Who alone is God?” (John 5:44, AMP).

This chapter begins with Jesus going to Jerusalem for a Jewish festival. While in the city, He noticed a man at the pool of Bethesda, which means “mercy,” who was lying on a pallet waiting for the angel of God to stir the curative waters. In this way, we hear from Jesus regarding who He is and what His purpose is. In this chapter, Jesus moved from one witness/testimony to another and ended with a searching question to the religious leaders.

            Jesus’ encounter with the sick man began with Him noticing the man and asking him, “Do you want to become well?” (vs.6, AMP). We notice that the man did not answer that question but answered with a reason why he had not become well. He replied with a statement of disbelief in his ability to get to the curative waters because no one helped him. Jesus did not ask why he was not well. He knew why the man was sick and what kept him from being well. Jesus asked if he wanted to become well. After the man’s response, Jesus commanded strongly, “Get up! Pick up your bed (mat) and walk!” (vs.8). Jesus left him with no excuse but unbelief. The man chose to believe, get up, and walk. Jesus walked off after that and the man did not know Jesus performed the miracle. The previously ill man encountered Jesus again in the temple a while later (vs. 14). The man identified Jesus. Jesus told the man, “See, you are well! Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” Jesus knew this man, though the man did not recognize Jesus as the Son of God. After the second encounter, the man may have begun wondering more about Jesus. What is more important is that, with Jesus’ second comment to the man, we see the possibility that the man was ill because of God’s disciplining him for some sin in the past. Jesus, by making the man well, showed that He has the power to judge, give mercy, and offer pardon. Jesus also stated a warning to the man.

            The Pharisees entered the scene after the man was healed by Jesus. Notice they did not ask who made him well. Instead they confronted the man about his working on the Sabbath by carrying his mat. They chose not to confront the man about his healing, a miracle, but about his working, a man-made rule. The man then passed the blame for his “working” on the Sabbath back to the unknown man. The man did not declare the miracle of his health either. It was only after he learned of Jesus’ name that he told the Pharisees who made him well. The man was no longer thinking in terms of blaming someone since Jesus approached him about his sin. This man now admitted that Jesus healed him.

            After this healing and admission that Jesus was the One who did it, the Pharisees were more determined to persecute and kill Jesus because He was “working” (healing) on the Sabbath (vs. 16). This feels a bit of an extreme reaction for just healing someone. These Pharisees were brewing over something far bigger than this issue. The next encounters with the Pharisees show us their hearts and minds. In verse 18, John tells us that they were willing to kill Jesus. He was working on the Sabbath and He was making Himself out to be equal with God, to be God’s Son. Verses 19 and 20 state that Jesus can only do what the Father does, as He learns from the Father. Jesus even went so far as to say He would do even great work so they (the people) would marvel. He was able to do this because He and the Father are one and love each other. The next statement by Jesus irritated the Pharisees more. Jesus said that just as the Father gives life to the dead, so the Son gives life to whomever He wills. Jesus was claiming power over life and death. (The Pharisees only heard the literal side of this.). Jesus next stated that the Father does not judge, but Jesus has the sole responsibility to judge. There are three things Jesus has already said to the Pharisees: 1) Jesus is equal to the Father because Jesus is the Son; 2) Jesus has power over life and death; and 3) Jesus has the sole responsibility of judging people.

            Why are these three facets of Jesus’ so difficult for the Pharisees? Let us start with the first one. Jesus equating Himself with the Father, that He is the Son and has the same power and authority, was difficult for them because that meant the Pharisees  would have to honor and praise Jesus, this man from Galilee. Remember, it was said that no good thing came from Galilee . (John 1:46). They looked down on people from Galilee. In actual fact, they looked down on anyone who was not a Pharisee and they built themselves up. They did not want someone to usurp their power and authority. If they recognized Jesus as being special, then they would have to honor and praise Him, which meant they would get less praise and would not be the leader of the Jewish people. That just could not be.

            Second, Jesus statement that He has power over life and death was significant because it definitely showed His authority is from God. Who, in their knowledge, could bring someone back from the dead except God? This was testified in Ezekiel with the valley of dry bones returning to life. It also occurred when God created Adam and Eve; He formed them out of nothing, ex nihilo, and blew His breath, His Spirit, into them. Here Christ goes farther than the Pharisees were willing to understand. Jesus said that He will give them Life, eternal life. For this to occur, that meant Jesus has to be the Messiah, the Savior, because the Pharisees knew that no one would have eternal life until the Messiah came. This they did not want to acknowledge for the same reason as number one above. Also, they did not want to recognize it because it meant they had to acknowledge that Jesus is what He stated next, the judge of mankind.

            For people to have eternal life through Jesus, they must pass through judgment by Jesus. Jesus stated in verse 27 that God gave Him the sole task of judgment. If the person believed Jesus is the Son of God, then he or she would have forgiveness for their sins and eternal life in heaven. If, however, they did not believe Jesus is God’s Son, then they would also have eternity, but one of unforgiveness, one of eternal punishment. Jesus is the judge. He has provided the forgiveness for sins to those who believe He is the Son of God. For those who do not believe, there is no forgiveness of sin and they cannot be in the presence of God for eternity. They must go to eternal hell.

            These three things Jesus brought immediately to the attention of the Pharisees. Jesus did not dance around the topic. He was pointed with them. The question though is why does He do it this way. Well, the reason is Jesus knows the urgency of people needing to believe He is God’s Son. He stated it Himself in verse 34, “I simply mention all these things in order that you may be saved.” (AMP). In just 15 verses, Jesus made it plain so they could not say they did not know. What is difficult comes next; they chose not to believe. In verse 31, Jesus stated, “If I alone testify in My behalf, My testimony is not valid and cannot be worth anything.”

            From this statement by Jesus, He set forth how they can know He is who He says He is. Also from this statement, He put holes into their faith in themselves and humanity. Jesus gave four ways people could know He is the Son of God: through John the Baptist’s testimony, through Jesus’ works, through the Father, and through Scriptures. Jesus went from least important to most important. Basically, Jesus told them to put less weight on the testimony of man and the works/signs of which they hear and put more weight on what the Father and Scripture say. This will be a common theme throughout John’s writing.

            First, John states in verses 33-35 that John the Baptist was the voice in the wilderness. Jesus called John the Baptist a lamp in the wilderness in whose shine they delighted (AMP). Jesus stated that their faith should not rest on the testimony of a mere man.

            Secondly, Jesus said that the works to which the Father called Him are witness to who He is. He said that this witness was greater than that of a man, even John the Baptist (vs. 36). The testimony of man is good and Jesus encouraged us to go and preach the Gospel in Matthew 28. Even better is witnessing the signs that Jesus performs. These signs point to something, as all signs point to something. That something is Someone, Jesus Christ.

            Third, the testimony of the Father is even greater than the signs, because the Son can only do what He has seen the Father do (vs.19). Jesus said,

And the Father Who sent Me has Himself testified concerning Me. Not one of you has ever given ear to His voice or seen His form. And you have not His word  living in your hearts, because you do not believe and adhere to and trust in and rely on Him Whom He has sent. (vv.37-38, AMP)

Jesus basically stated that the Father told mankind about Jesus, His Son, but because they did not hear the Father and they did not have His Word living in their hearts, they did not believe in whom He has sent, Jesus. I am sure this came as a slap to their faces. Jesus was saying they, the Jewish religious leaders (Pharisees) did not know Yahweh or His Word. They did not have His Word in their hearts. When we jump to verse 42, Jesus told them they do not have the love of God in them. This most likely was an affront to their sense of esteem as religious leaders and as men who are supposed to be part of the chosen children of God. No wonder they wanted to kill Jesus. He was attacking their faith, their personal integrity, and worth.

            The fourth testimony comes through Scripture. Jesus said they pore over Scripture as if it will give them eternal life, when it is those Scriptures that testify about Him. The Scriptures speak of the Messiah as being the One who brings eternal life. The Scriptures cannot give eternal life. Isaiah, Moses, and David, as well as others of Old Testament times, prophesied of the Messiah’s coming to earth and in what manner. They also spoke of what He would do and how the people would know it was Him. The Pharisees chose not to acknowledge these or that they pointed to Jesus. Instead, they would rather  have been seen poring over the Scriptures.

            From this point in John 5, Jesus pointedly showed that Jesus did not come in His own name, but in the Father, nor did He do miracles in His own power, but the Father’s. The Pharisees and other people chose not to believe He is the Son. Yet, if another man arrived talking about himself and touting his abilities, the Pharisees and people believed him and flocked to hear and see him. Jesus told them that their seeing him showed they accepted and approved him, but they would not approve Jesus who is witnessed of and testified to in these four ways, not by Himself. Jesus said then, “How is it possible for you to believe; you who receive praise and honor and glory from one another, and yet do not seek the praise and honor and glory which come from Him who alone is God?” (vs.44, AMP). How will you be able to believe if you do not trust the testimony of these four witnesses, but will trust the testimony of a person for himself? What will it take for you to believe that I am God’s Son? If they would not believe in the Son, then they knew from the Scripture that Moses would judge them. Moses believed that Jesus would come. Why could they not? It would be Moses who judges their unbelief because they did not believe his testimony either. (See Genesis 3:5, 12:3, Deuteronomy 18:15.) By their not believing Jesus is the Messiah, they were not believing Moses whom they hold up as their standard. It will be Moses who will accuse them. If they cannot believe the man who testified to them, who led them out of Egypt, who spoke with God for them, and who brought the Ten Commandments to them, how would they believe Jesus with all those witnesses?

            It all comes back to that one verse. Verse 34 brings it all back to the main point. Jesus says, “I simply mention all these things in order that you may be saved.” Jesus, like the Father, does not want anyone to be lost to eternal hell. He made each of us so we could be in relationship with Him. He desires to have a relationship with us. Yahweh provided a way for us to return to Him through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. Through the witness of these four, Jesus tells us three things about Himself: 1) Jesus is equal to the Father because Jesus is the Son; 2) Jesus has power over life and death; and 3) Jesus has the sole responsibility of judging people. The question comes to each of us in Jesus’ own words in verse 44, “How is it possible for you to believe?” (AMP). What will it take for you to believe?