John 5:19-46 Very Truly
We have heard from Jesus about Jesus in the “I am statements” over the past few weeks. This passage comes before those statements, and right after Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath. This passage starts by Jesus connecting himself to the Father. There is love, there is life, there is judgment, there is honor, and there is a hopeful (two-edged) promise.
Jesus then goes farther and says that he can do nothing apart from the one who sent him. Jesus is testifying about the one who sent (sends?) him. Then who can give trustworthy testimony about Jesus? Do we trust what people say about themselves? John testifies about Jesus, and people believe that, even though it is mortal testimony. Jesus says he has bigger testimony, and not just words, but that everything he does testifies to the Father. We do not have God’s word in us because we do not believe those who carry his word.
Instead, we turn to scripture, and think that contains eternal life. Even though scripture testifies to Jesus, we refuse to come to Jesus. We trust humans more than God. We accept mortal praise and mortal glory, but not the glory of God.
How do we testify about our belief in Christ? How do we demonstrate to Christ that we believe? And what does that mean to us? Being sent by the Father directs every aspect of Christ’s life. Does being sent by Christ direct every aspect of our lives? Are we sent by Scripture or sent by Christ?
