John 5:30-47
Q.1. What warning did Jesus give about people making claims? How should we check out the validity of such claims? – (Jn.5:30-32)
The Bible abounds with warnings about false prophets and false teachers. It is tempting to follow people who have charisma, and who make lofty claims. People are more vulnerable to those who promise personal benefits. Even Jesus never expected people to accept His subjective claims, without corroborating proofs. He was able to point to four objective witnesses to His subjective claims (Jn.5:31-47). Paul urged us to keep the balance right – 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil (1 Thes.5:19-22). On the one hand we must leave room for God to do the miraculous. However, this must be balanced by examining the Scriptures carefully (c.f. Acts 17:11).
Q.2. How did the witness of John the Baptizer support the claims of Jesus? – (Jn.5:33-35)
John firmly stated to the Jews who inquired, that he himself was not the promised Messiah. His testimony that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, and the Saviour of the world, was unequivocally clear. (Jn.1:29-34).
Q.3. What conclusion should people have come to, when seeing or hearing of the miracles of Jesus? How did the baptism of Jesus testify to His Messiahship? – (Jn.5:36-38)
The Old Testament predicted that the Messiah would come with signs and wonders. Therefore, the fact that Jesus healed and performed other miracles, was confirmation that He was the One (Mt.8:17 c.f. Is.35:5-6; 61:1-2). Moreover, God the Father declared the identity of Jesus as His beloved Son – 21 Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, ‘You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased’ (Lk. 3:21-22).
Q.4. What is the focus and theme of the Old Testament Scriptures? How should the Jews have responded to Jesus and the Scriptures? – (Jn.5:39-47)
Another crucial witness was provided, so the Jews could recognize their Messiah – the Scriptures. It is sad to see, how near but yet how far people can be from the truth. To this very day, the Jews search the Scriptures, believing that the act of doing that will bring them salvation. There is a subtle yet massive difference between trying to earn our own salvation by religious works, compared with placing our trust in Jesus. Jesus pointed out the futility of studying the Bible for theology’s sake, but then failing to embrace the One Whom the Scriptures speak about. The whole focus and theme of the Bible is Jesus. The Jews had latched onto the Law of Moses but were rejecting the very One about Whom He wrote. To accept the Bible and yet dismiss God’s One and Only Son, our provision for salvation, is a monumental mistake.