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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
June 25,2007; Jesus, Prince of Preachers and Premier Prophet (4 of 12)
Focus Text: John 5.38-44
Jesus is presenting arguments to prove that He is Messiah and as such, very God. His character and “style” are revealed in today’s focus text – and might we add, both His character and style are a surprise to many today and their modernized and politically correct image of Jesus.
“But you do not have His [God the Father’s] word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?” (John 5.38-44). Jesus spoke these words to the religious leaders in Jerusalem; they are a scathing rebuke!
First, He affirmed that the Jewish leaders did not have the word of God abiding in them. What a slap in the face of these pious and self-righteous men! They had the scriptures; in fact, they searched the scriptures, but they were mistaken in their conclusions. The very scriptures to which they appealed were replete with prophecies of Messiah and yet, they failed to see and recognize Him.
Secondly, He affirmed “…you are not willing to come to Me.” This is entirely different from simply not coming to Him; they were not WILLING to come to Him! There problem was much deeper than a mistaken view of Scripture and of Jesus; their problem was a problem of will, a problem of the heart. Their problem was that they sought the approval of men and one another rather than the approval of God. Jesus compared His motives with their motives when He said, “I do not receive honor from men.”
Thirdly (but directly connected to His previous point), He said, “But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.” Two affirmations in this one sentence are of note; He knew them, and He also knew that they did not have the love of God in them! How disconcerting it must have been for these demented leaders to realize that, indeed, Jesus did know them! The next conclusion, namely that they did not have the love of God in their hearts, was minor in comparison to the first. If they were known of Jesus, if indeed He could read the thoughts and motives of their hearts, nothing was hidden form Him! What a blow to the calculating and conniving manipulators that they fancied themselves to be!
Jesus was and of course is Messiah. The word of God yet abides in any who would know Him. Likewise, those who open the Scriptures to ANY page will find Jesus residing in them. But lastly, we must realize that we are known of Him. There is no thought, or motive, or deed, or wish that He does not know. Those who recognize Messiah see Him as He is, not as they wish Him to be. He knows us for who we are; we must know Him for who He is!
Questions:
1. Why is it necessary that the word of God abide in us? What if it doesn’t?
2. How important is one’s attitude of heart in serving God? What is the basis for your answer?
3. Does Jesus know us? If so, how does He know us? How should that realization manifest itself in our lives?
4. Why is it necessary that the love of God abide in us? What if it doesn’t? How can one “make up for” the absence of the love of God in his/her heart? What substitute is there?
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