As we continue our study of the Gospel of John, we pick up at verse 37 of Chapter 5. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John has recorded the words of Jesus as He spoke to the religious leaders in Jerusalem about who He is. John writes:
“And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified concerning Me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form nor does His word dwell in you, for you do not believe the One He sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.” (John 5: 37- 40)
The Jewish culture placed great credibility on witnesses verifying what someone said. Having two witnesses would usually ‘seal the deal’ for everyone. Jesus had presented two witnesses, John the Baptist, (John 1:34), and God the Father Himself, (Matthew 3:16,17), yet the Leaders refused to believe.
Jesus was telling them eternal life stood before them; that they could literally hear the voice of God, could literally see Him, and have His word dwell in them, yet they refused to come to Him. They missed the message. They refused to listen.
The Jewish Leaders were highly schooled in the Scriptures, and could verbally recite them easily, yet they failed to believe that these scriptures testified about the One who stood before them. They missed the truth. They refused to believe.
We too must always be careful to hear the Lord when He speaks. He speaks to us through the Scripture, and in many other ways, and forms, but we do not always hear Him. We may be able to, and should study to do so, quote the Word, but if we do not believe it, we will not receive life from it. Let us take Him at His Word. Let us receive life, abundant life, in and through His Word -read or heard or seen – as we believe.
I pray The Lord’s richest blessings, favor, and love be upon you, and yours, God’s Beloveds. May you be clothed in Christ, and be as One in Him in His perfection, and love.
Poppa B.