Wednesday 8th February
Read John 5:36-40
““I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (NIVUK)
Jesus is willing to allow them to consider, and accept, John’s testimony as to His authority and identity. But He Himself considers it less persuasive than the witness of the Father. This internal witness seems far more important to Jesus than what we would consider acceptable evidence. It is less verifiable from our perspective, yet Jesus begins with it (v31-32) and then returns to it (v35-37a). Why is that?
It may relate to the constant refrain of the Gospels concerning those who believe and are saved. Jesus puts out the call to those who have ‘ears to hear’ and ‘eyes to see’ to respond in faith to what God has revealed to them. It is almost as if Jesus is the fore-runner of our faith, the one who ‘hears and sees’ (v19, 30) all that Father does perfectly and responds in complete and joyful obedience. That internal witness is as overwhelmingly important to Him as I suspect it should be to us.
Consider Paul’s words to the Roman church. “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:14-17) (NIVUK).
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (v16) It is a witness known only to each individual believer and speaks to the communion we have with the Father and the Son, by whom we can cry ‘Abba Father’ (v15). Is this your experience? Do you have ‘ears to hear and eyes to see’? Is it a little clearer why Jesus returns again and again to the personal witness of the Father, revealed in His works and obedience and words, as the evidence that must be grasped and responded to in faith in order to be saved? Pray for better hearing and clearer vision.
