Lent 2023: John 5:31-47

Witnesses to Jesus

31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony he gives about me is true. 33 You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. 34 I don’t receive human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 John[a] was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

36 “But I have a greater testimony than John’s because of the works that the Father has given me to accomplish. These very works I am doing testify about me that the Father has sent me. 37 The Father who sent me has himself testified about me. You have not heard his voice at any time, and you haven’t seen his form. 38 You don’t have his word residing in you, because you don’t believe the one he sent. 39 You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me. 40 But you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life.

41 “I do not accept glory from people, 42 but I know you—that you have no love for God within you. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and yet you don’t accept me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe, since you accept glory from one another but don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. 47 But if you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe my words?”

—John 5:31-47

Read & Journal

Read John 5:31-47. Ponder what you’ve read; let these questions guide you:

• What does this passage teach you about Jesus? His character? His purpose?

• Who is Jesus interacting with in this passage? How would you summarize his main points?

• Jesus discusses several kinds of evidence that testify to the truth of who he is. List this evidence/witnesses and describe how they point to who he is.

• How has God used the Scripture in your life to point you toward himself? Toward trusting Jesus for salvation?

• Jesus stressed that all of the law and Scripture had pointed to him, yet the Pharisees missed it. What are some specific examples of how Moses, the law and the Old Testament pointed to Jesus?

• In today’s passage, Jesus stressed that a number of witnesses testified to the fact that he was the Messiah: John the Baptist, Jesus’ own teachings and miracles, the Father and the Scriptures. Think about the witnesses God has placed in your life: his Word, his Spirit, his church. Perhaps there are specific people along your journey of faith who encouraged you and pointed you in his direction. Spend some time today journaling a prayer thanking him for the way he began to make you aware of him even before you accepted his gift of salvation.