John 5:31-47

Context of John 5

John chapter 5 starts with a man paralyzed for 38 years at the pool of Bethesda. Jesus seeks him out, heals him, and commands him to take up his bed and walk. Jews see this on the Sabbath and confront the man. He explains he was healed and told to carry his bed. Later, Jesus finds him in the temple and says, "Go and sin no more." The man's healing had a spiritual purpose: repentance and salvation. He identifies Jesus to the Jews, leading to this confrontation.

Jesus' Witnesses

If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Yet I do not receive testimony from men, but I say these things that you may be saved. He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.

But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe.

Jesus presents multiple witnesses to his identity: the Father, John the Baptist, his works, and the Scriptures. These leave no excuse for rejection. John was a burning and shining lamp pointing to Jesus, living humbly to glorify him, not himself. His life embodied "He must increase, but I must decrease."

The Scriptures Testify of Jesus

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor which comes from the only God?

The Jews searched the Scriptures thinking they held eternal life, but those same Scriptures testify of Jesus. Yet they refused to come to him. They lacked God's love, sought human honor, and would accept false messiahs in their own name. Pride hindered them from seeking glory from God alone.

Moses Accuses Them

Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?

Moses, whom they trusted, wrote about Jesus. His life pointed to Christ. Hebrews 11 explains Moses esteemed the reproach of Christ greater than Egypt's treasures, choosing suffering over sin's pleasures for eternal reward.

Despair of Self, Embrace Christ

This passage teaches us to despair of ourselves—to stop trusting our abilities, righteousness, or works. Jesus uses their inability as an evangelistic tool, making himself irresistibly beautiful against their hopelessness. Salvation is exclusively through him, the only way, truth, and life.

For believers, it reminds us to rely fully on Christ, who sought us for salvation and glory. Our lives should testify to him like the Father's, John's, the works', Moses', and the Scriptures'—humbly pointing others to Jesus.

Examine your life: Does it shine as a lamp for Christ? Pride hinders; humility glorifies him. Christianity exalts his glory, yet brings us eternal joy and benefit, as in Romans 8:28-30.