Presented, April 24, 2005
FOUR WITNESSES
John 5:31-47
The gospel of John is unique in contrast to the “synoptic gospels”. He focuses on only a few occasions and the discussions they produced. His purpose in writing this “supplement” as it is sometimes called was so “that you may believe the Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31). In this book John presents evidence to prove that Jesus was Whom He claimed to be. One such passage occurs in John 5. He has healed a man who had been lame for 38 years and in the process of restoring him, Jesus told him to take up his bed and walk (8). Because this miracle (work) was performed on the Sabbath it caused criticism from the Jews, primarily their leaders. This leads to a conversation in which Jesus defends His actions and even claims to be the Son of God which prompts these leaders to seek for a way to kill Him (16-18). Beginning in verse 31, Jesus defends Himself presenting four “witnesses” to prove He was the One they should listen to. Under the Old Law, for one to be condemned there needed to be two witnesses or more – see Deut 17:6 which says, “Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.” But note also Deuteronomy 19:15, “One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.” This is also taught Matthew 18:16, 2 Corinthians 13:1, 1 Timothy 5:19, etc. In our text, Jesus presented FOUR witnesses. Tonight we want to examine these four witnesses and see how they testify of the divinity and purpose of Jesus while upon this earth.
I. John the Baptist (33-35)
a. He was the prophesied forerunner of Christ – Malachi 3:1, 4:5-6 (Elijah), Isaiah 40:3. Jesus identified John as Elijah in Matthew 17:10-13. Interestingly here is one that the Jews were looking for who was expected to come and introduce the Christ. John did this and these leaders did not accept him or Christ.
b. It is believed that one of the purposes of this letter was to clear up questions concerning John the Baptist.
i. 1:6-8 notes that John was NOT the light but sent to bear witness of the light.
ii. 1:19-23 - He identified himself as the forerunner quoting Isaiah 40:3
iii. NOTE 1:29, 30 – John identifies Jesus as “the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” and baptizes Him.
iv. 1:25-26 – he sends away disciples. Later in chapter 3 when concern is expressed by his disciples because of the popularity of Jesus gaining – he reminds them of his purpose – as the friend of the bridegroom – 3:27-30 – note especially verse 30 where John says, “He must increase and I must decrease”
v. This was John’s testimony.
c. NOW consider the Jews concern for whom he was – When Jesus posed the question, “the baptism of John, where was it from? Heaven or men?” to them because of their question about His authority, (Matthew 21:23-27) they would not answer because, “we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.”
d. In our text Jesus notes that for a while they were willing to listen to him – until he began to rebuke them. Nevertheless, testimony from man is not strong enough.
e. Later in this letter disciples of John come to Jesus and say, “then many came to Him and said, "John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true." 42 And many believed in Him there.” John 10:41-42
II. The Works He Did (36)
a. John uses the word “works” in place of miracles. These were miracles that confirmed the omnipotence of Jesus (5:20, 10:25, etc). In fact John records 7 miracles of Jesus each identifying His superiority over worldly forces including time, distance, matter, space, quality, quantity, natural forces, sickness, birth defects and even death itself.
b. How did miracles verify that Jesus was the Son of God?
i. Matthew 9:1-8 describes the purpose of miracles. Jesus heals a paralytic after forgiving his sins. Why did Jesus perform the miracle? Note verse 6.
ii. Miracles ALWAYS confirmed that God was with the messenger. This was one way to distinguish between true prophets and false teachers.
c. Witnesses of these works or signs
i. John 3:2 – Nicodemus comes to Jesus and notes, “no one can do these signs unless God is with him
ii. Luke 7:18-23 – John sends messengers to Jesus to confirm, “are you the Christ or do we look for another.” That hour Jesus performed many miracles and sent them back saying, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard…”
iii. John 20:30-31 – These ‘signs’ were written that you may believe
iv. Even His enemies expressed concern – John 11:47,48
v. John 9:25 – after Jesus gives sight to a man born blind on the Sabbath, the Jews did not want to accept that a miracle had been done. They condemned Jesus because He violated THEIR Sabbath laws and even said the blind man was not really blind until it was confirmed by his parents. Later demanding that this man reject Jesus as a sinner, he answered, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, NOW I see.”
d. Truly, the works of Jesus were a powerful, undeniable witness of Jesus (though they tried, cf. Matthew 12:24-26, etc.)
III. His Father (37-44)
a. Next Jesus notes that even the Father testified of Him. God actually testified in a number of ways –
i. Through the works just mentioned
ii. With His voice – John 1:32-33, Matthew 3:17 – at His baptism
iii. Through scripture – that is prophecy.
b. Prophecy is a powerful “witness” because only one with true omniscience can predict the future with precision accuracy. And why can God do that? Because He IS the creator of the past, present and future.
i. Luke 24:44 – As Jesus was about to ascend, He noted that all words spoken concerning Him in the Law, the prophets and the psalms had been fulfilled.
ii. There are dozens of clear prophesies in the Old Testament that made reference to the coming Messiah. They were ALL fulfilled in Christ. While the Jewish leaders attempted to deny some of them, there were others they could NOT deny.
iii. Malachi 5:2 spoke of Bethlehem being His place of birth – Matthew 2:1, Luke 2:1-7 describes why Jesus was born in that city – there was a census
iv. Prophecies concerning the one who would prepare the way – Isaiah 40:3 – fulfilled in John
v. Even as Jesus spoke to them, there were many prophesies yet to be fulfilled such as Isaiah 53:3-12 which described His death noting:
1. His rejection by the Jews (3)
2. Suffering for us (4-6)
3. He opened not His mouth (7)
4. Died with the wicked (9)
5. Buried with the rich (9)
6. His days would be prolonged (raised from the dead) (10)
vi. NOTE: Had these leaders REALLY wanted to thwart the plans of Jesus they could have ensured that such things did not happen.
c. Our text - Vs. 38-40 describes their attitude toward the word. They searched the scriptures but were unwilling to come to Him. HOW many times do men parse verses and conjugate verbs in the original language only to lose the intended meaning of the text? Word studies are good and important but ONLY when they put into a proper context.
IV. Moses Himself Accused Them (45-47)
a. Moses in his writings made a number of prophesies about the coming messiah. Again, Jesus was qualified in ALL of them.
i. Genesis 3:15 – the seed of woman
ii. Genesis 12:3 – In your seed all nations blessed – Jesus was of the seed of Abraham
iii. Genesis 49:8-10 – the scepter shall not depart from Jerusalem. There is mention of Shiloh which is believed to be messianic
iv. Deuteronomy 18:15-18 spoke of “The Prophet” – again Jesus fit the mold. And this “Prophet” was one the Jews were looking for – John 1:21, 7:40 where many said, “Truly this is the prophet”
b. Again, the Jews rejected Jesus as fulfilling these because they did not want to accept Him. But He fit the mold.
Our faith in Jesus is NOT without proof. God has given us plenty of evidence to believe in Him. Are we willing? Through history many have claimed to be the prophet but they have failed miserably to prove it. ONLY Jesus fits the mold (even Jews who reject Jesus will say there is no one else). If we desire eternal life we HAVE TO – John 3:16. What about you? Do you believe in Jesus? Are you willing to obey His gospel tonight?