The Gospel of John: John 5.31-47

Read and meditate on John 5.33-35.
The Father’s first witness to the truth of Christ’s claims is John the Baptist. Jesus knew John was honored by the people of that day, and the Jews themselves understood that they should not repudiate John’s testimony, precisely for that reason. But as great as John was, Jesus knew full well why he had been sent.

                                                              ³³Just so,
you sent to John, and he bore witness to
the truth. ³⁴And yet, men’s testimony do
I not receive; these things I say to you
that you may all be saved. ³⁵He was a new
and burning, shining lamp, and in his light,
you for a time were willing to delight.

- John 5.33-35

Reflect
1.  Review the questions put to John the Baptist in John 1.19-21. What does this suggest about how the religious authorities viewed him? Why did they have such a high regard for John? Complete this prayer: Lord, I want my witness to You to be as respected and credible as John’s. Help me…

2.  John bore faithful witness to Jesus, but Jesus insists He does not need the testimony of men, even of such a one as John (v. 34). Does this mean Jesus does not need our testimony? And, if He does not need our testimony, why has He commissioned us, like John the Baptist, to bear witness to Him (Acts 1.8)? Lord, I know that You don’t need me. But You have called and commissioned me as Your witness. So…

3.  Apparently, the Jewish leaders’ initial response to John was favorable (v. 35). In what sense was John “the burning and shining lamp”? With what did he glow, and what did he illuminate? Lord, You have said that we are the light of the world. I want to be a burning and shining lamp for You, even today. Help me to…

4.  Jesus said they were willing “for a time to rejoice in his light.” Why only “for a time”? What did they learn from John that caused him to lose favor with them? How does John’s experience as a witness counsel us? I know, Lord, that not everyone will receive my witness to You. Nevertheless…

5.  The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were fine with John, as long as his work didn’t conflict with their interests. They were happy for people to go out and be baptized unto repentance from sin. They began to be not happy with John, first, as he confronted them with their true nature (cf. Lk. 3.7-20; Matt. 3.7-12), and then as he pointed them to Jesus as the Lamb of God. John’s witness was faithful and true. He was a man sent by God (Jn. 1.6). In what sense, and for what purpose, have we been sent by God (Jn. 20.21)? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote from questions 1-4.

Summary
“What Jesus says is like this: I, being God, did not need the witness of John, which is a human witness. And yet, because you listened to him and believe that he is more trustworthy than anyone else, and because you ran to him as to a prophet (for ‘all the city came out to the Jordan’) and, finally, because you have not believed on me even when I performed miracles, therefore I remind you of that witness of his.” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

It pleases the Lord to use human witnesses to validate His claim. He does not need us, but it pleases Him to use us. How should we prepare for such a high and holy calling?

Closing Prayer
O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
Let them be confounded and consumed
Who are adversaries of my life;
Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor
Who seek my hurt.
But I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And Your salvation all the day,
For I do not know their limits.
I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD;
I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.

Psalm 71.12-16

Psalm 71.12-16, 3 (Solid Rock: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less)
O God, be not too far from me; my ever-present Helper be!
Consume and shame my enemies; let them reproached and humbled be.
    A Rock of habitation be, command Your Word to rescue me:
   My Rock and Fortress ever be!

But as for me, my voice I raise to sing in hope and constant praise!
With saving grace my voice will swell Your never-ending grace to tell.
    A Rock of habitation be, command Your Word to rescue me:
    My Rock and Fortress ever be!

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.