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We are in John Chapter 5 and we move on from verse 24, but we need a moment to recall the context. We have been looking at how Jesus dealt with the accusations of sacrilege and blasphemy, following the healing of that paralysed man by the Pool of Bethesda. How did Jesus deal with being accused, when men accused Him? He spoke out the truth of God. He did not run away from his accusers. He did not resign his commission nor give in nor give up. Jesus knew He was right, so He spoke the truth.

If I heal on the Sabbath I am right to heal on the Sabbath.

If I claim to be the Son of God, it is because I am the son of God, so you had better honour me and respect me – verse 22. One day I will be your judge and I will determine your eternal destiny.

These are not superficial matters!

Jesus then demolishes two very poplar views today – 1. That death is the end. NO! One day the dead will hear the voice of the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ and come to face him at the judgement seat. 2. Jesus also demolishes the view that all go to the same place. NO!

When Jesus judges men and women He will be very fair. Jesus will judge as the Father wants Him to judge – righteously and faithfully.

Now, it is as if Jesus knew that these Jews will not accept His Word alone, so Jesus calls in witnesses to testify that all this is true, and also the law required two witnesses. Jesus calls in His first witness.

Verse 33 – John the Baptist was a wonderful witness. Jesus did not need human witnesses but He calls them in because He wants His critics to be saved – to be rescued – to be forgiven. Jesus was concerned and He cared and acted.

John was like a lamp, and he shone to light Me up. Why did you not listen and pay attention to what John said? He called Me the Lamb of God and he said I would baptise with the Holy Spirit. He also referred to me as the bridegroom.

But I have a greater witness than John – the work that I do – the miracles. This was proof or evidence that God was with Jesus. These Jews – these religious critics – never doubted that Jesus did miracles. Verse 36 is a phenomenal claim!

Verses 37 to 39 – The Father ,Who sent me, puts His seal on the fact that I speak the truth. You have never heard the Father’s voice and you have never seen Him, and you have not His Word dwelling in you because you do not believe the One He sent!

The Father has sent Me and you do not believe Me. That is how I know that His Word does not dwell in you. If the Word of the Father was in your heart, you would receive Me and believe Me.

You search the Scriptures, but you have missed the secret. You have missed what they are all about. They testify about Me. They point to Me. These are massive points Jesus is speaking about here.

Verses 37 to 38. It is the providential Father – God – Who is behind me.

We need to learn from our father and especially from our heavenly Father. If Jesus had to do so, then how much more so do we need to pay attention to what Almighty God is saying.

These men looked but they have missed, and were missing, what they were looking for. It is possible to read the Bible and miss Jesus Christ. The Jews did that. They were not looking for such a Person. The Old Testament is about Jesus, and Jesus underlines that here in these sentences.

They may have been so very wrong but see how Jesus wants them and us to discover the truth.

How can a man miss Jesus in the Scriptures and who Jesus is? Many do and that is why the work of the Holy Spirit is so needed to reveal who Jesus Christ is.

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Say On (1-4-11)