TESTIMONIES ABOUT JESUS
John 5:31-47 Key Verse:36
In this passage Jesus proved he is the Son of God by mentioning the testimony of his miracles, John the Baptists testimony, and the testimony of the scriptures. He did not need to testify but did so that the religious leaders might be saved.
- Read verses 31-35. Why does Jesus introduce additional testimony about himself to the Jewish religious leaders?
Verse 34, “Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved.” Jesus really wanted to save them, so he introduced testimony – he tried to speak in terms that they might understand. In the Law of Moses, if two or more people testify to something, it is accepted as true.
What does this show us about Jesus’ shepherd heart?
Jesus knew that they only accepted human authority and he tried to speak in their own language by showing his own authority is validated by God and by John the Baptist. Jesus whole goal was not to condemn them, but to save them.
What can we learn here about the importance of testimony in faith?
Every life of faith must tell a story. It must point to Jesus Christ and how he changed our lives. We must know who Jesus is and have a clear testimony about him, otherwise we cannot help anyone. Also having a testimony is the natural extension of faith. You will have one.
- Review John’s testimony about Jesus (Jn 1:15,29-34; 3:31-36).
John 1:15
“John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, ‘This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.”
John clearly testifies here that he is not the Christ, that Jesus came from God.
John 1:29-34
“29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." 32Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."”
John clearly testifies again that Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. John tells us that he is the Son of God.
John 3:31-36
“31"The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God[a] gives the Spirit without limit. 35The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."[b]”
Here John clearly tells us who Jesus is as well. He testifies to his nature.
What should have been the attitude of the religious leaders toward John’s testimony?
The religious leaders accepted that John came from God. John clearly testified who Jesus was. The religious leaders should have accepted John’s testimony. They should have seen how he talks and how Jesus acts. John’s testimony was exact. We learn here that if we are proud and think we know everything, then we have no room to learn about and accept Jesus. This is dangerous.
What was Jesus’ attitude towards John’s testimony?
Jesus took John as a man of his word. Verse 32 talks about how John’s testimony seconds and validates Jesus from a human viewpoint. Jesus also called John a lamp that gave light to the religious leaders for a while. Jesus accepted John as God’s servant as well.
What should ours be?
The word’s of John are life giving. They consistently point us to the Christ and our salvation. The religious leaders accepted John’s testimony but rejected Jesus. It meant that they intentionally disbelieved.
- Read verses 36-40. What was the weightier testimony that Jesus introduced?
Jesus testifies that his mission and the things he is doing by healing and preaching are signs that he is approved by God and doing God’s work. God’s testimony is far superior to that of John or any man’s testimony.
To what was Jesus referring (Jn 5:8; 2:4; 19:30)?
John 5:8
“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’”
John 2:4
“Dear woman, why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My time has not yet come.’”
John 19:30
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘‘It is finished.’ With that he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.’”
Jesus was referring to his authority and ministry to heal. He was referring to his time table from God to work and not to do as man wanted him to do. Lastly he was referring to how he had authority to lay down his life to complete his mission. Jesus was referring to how all his functions he did came from God and were given to him by God. By his actions he proved he was the Messiah.
How does this testimony convince our hearts that Jesus came from God?
Jesus shows his mercy and his grace. He shows how he gave his life. Within this sacrifice we come to know Jesus and through Jesus we come to see the real heart of God.
Why do we need to know this? (39-40)
Because we can only come to have eternal life through Jesus. Even the word of God we reads points us back to Jesus. Through Jesus we can have live. But the leaders refused to come to Jesus to have life, thinking they could do it another way.
- Read again verses 37-40. What is the other testimony Jesus introduces?
Jesus introduced the testimony of the Scripture. Meaning the Bible and the Old Testament.
How was the attitude of the religious leaders toward Scripture incorrect?
The Scripture testifies to Jesus who gives real life. The religious leaders read the scriptures diligently in hopes of finding life in the scriptures, but basically ignoring what they said about Jesus. They memorized it for the wrong reason, not to find what it says about God, but to serve their own interests.
What is the right attitude to have toward this testimony?
If the scripture testifies about Jesus and that we must come to him to have life, then we should believe it. We cannot argue with what God has revealed to us. We must hear then accept and then believe.
How can we have the right attitude toward the testimonies about Jesus?
By reading the scriptures and comparing them with what Jesus did. Most importantly with an open mind. Even if we have studied a passage for 30 years we must have an open mind in approaching the Bible. Then the word of God dwells in us and we can believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
- Read verses 41-44. What was the religious leaders’ problem?
Based on verse 42, “I know you do not have the Love of God in your hearts.” They made no effort to seek praise from God, only men. Because of this condition they could not accept Jesus.
What does it mean to “not have the love of God”?
The love of God means to have the capacity to love the things that God sends or makes. Also without the love of God in your heart, you cannot practice the love of God towards others like Jesus did. Also we cannot know the love of God in our hearts unless we teach the world of God and sacrifice our time and life for others.
What were the religious leaders’ interested in?
Only in praise from someone with a good worldly name.
Why was thisan obstacle for them to have real faith?
Because the things man value’s God detests. The favoritism and selfishness man shows, God doesn’t tolerate. They failed to seek praise from the one person who had control over their eternal destiny.
What is the spiritual direction that Jesus gives the religious leaders and us?
Not to accept praise from others as the qualifier in our lives. We should receive praise from God only.
How can we follow this direction?
By believing in God and seeking his approval alone, then we ignore those around us. Only receive praise from God as the qualifier for all your actions.
- Read verses 45-47. Why would Moses accuse the religious leaders before the Father?
Because they claimed to represent Moses. Yet Moses wrote about Jesus, and the leaders did not believe in Jesus. So Moses, the one they claim to believe, will accuse them because they did not listen even to him, much less the Son.
How did their superficial faith and Bible study lead them to such a predicament?
Here they claimed to know God’s plan and testimony, but when they studied it just to satisfy their own approval needs, they couldn’t understand the testimony about Jesus and God’s salvation plan. With superficial study we miss these things. Finally when the leaders rejected Jesus, who was the fulfillment of the Law, they ended up rejecting the entire Law.
We can learn here that a proud attitude makes us the enemy of God. We need the right heart to study the Bible, to know Jesus, and honor God.