Court Witnesses That Testify To Jesus' Deity (Next Three Witnesses)

2) The works Jesus had a much greater witness than John the Baptist

"But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me." [John 5:36]

The works the Father gave to Jesus would include not only the healings He had done so far, but feeding thousands of people, raising the dead, then Himself rising from the dead. These amazing displays of God’s power authenticated Jesus.

Nevertheless, other prophets had performed miracles, Moses, Elijah, Daniel, which though it proved they were sent from God, none of them were God; Jesus pressed on.

3) The Father Next Jesus brought in the mystery witness He had referred to earlier,

"And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen," [John 5:37]

This goes back to John chapter 1,

No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. [John 1:18]

AND

And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but(BF) he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'" [John 1:32-33]

4) Scripture You would think that would have been enough, but everything that is must be aligned with God’s word. Jesus brought in the most powerful witness yet, God’s written word

"...and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me," [John 5:38-39]

This is a problem. The Lord was saying that in spite of all the scripture memorizing these men had done, all the commentaries they had written, all the rules that they had scrupulously followed, all the lectures they had delivered, and on and on...after all that, God’s word was not in them. They searched the scriptures, but they did not find the meaning of life.

What went wrong?
* What would protect you and me from missing great truths in scripture?
* What would keep Bible study from being just an interesting intellectual exercise?

Jesus gives the answer:

"...yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life." [John 5:40]

Their wills. They were set against accepting Jesus.

"I know that you do not have the love of God within you." [John 5:42]

Their hearts were cold towards God, and therefore would not warm to Jesus and

"How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?" [John 5:44]

Their pride in themselves, and their love of each other’s admiration, and the honor given to them by all the people, filled them so full they had no appetite to seek God’s glory.

They were more ready to accept the words of an impressive big name person, than the simple truths of God.

The Jewish religious authorities had a lot of power and a lot of glory. They considered themselves to be second only to God Himself. They actually had stories in the Mishnah about certain rabbis being consulted by God for big decisions. They taught that they would live right next to God in heaven.

They had no need for Jesus, they already had it all.

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