John has a number of longer discourses from Jesus. We already saw a bit of one in chapter 3. This section in chapter 5 can at first appear to be a big ramble of not-so-related points. But overall, Jesus is telling the religious leaders more about his relationship with God the father, and to pay attention to what John (the Baptist) said, the works he does, and the authority God has given him (namely, to judge).
In the midst of this is an interesting statement - Examine the scriptures, since you think that in them you have eternal life. They also testify about me...
Jesus even challenges notions of holding to scripture without holding to him. This may seem like a bit of a quandary since so much of what we hold in the person of Jesus we get from scripture! What else would we do? We do not have the direct access to him that the disciples and religious leaders do.
Yet the notion is not without merit for us today. The scriptures - all 66 books - are deep and wide. There is so much to take in. But all of it should be measured within the person of Jesus, who we find most explicitly right here in the gospels.
John 5:19-47
Jesus responded to the Jewish leaders, “I assure you that the Son can’t do anything by himself except what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. The Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he does. He will show him greater works than these so that you will marvel. As the Father raises the dead and gives life, so too does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. The Father doesn’t judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son so that everyone will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever doesn’t honor the Son doesn’t honor the Father who sent him.
“I assure you that whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and won’t come under judgment but has passed from death into life.
“I assure you that the time is coming—and is here!—when the dead will hear the voice of God’s Son, and those who hear it will live. Just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. He gives the Son authority to judge, because he is the Human One. Don’t be surprised by this, because the time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice. Those who did good things will come out into the resurrection of life, and those who did wicked things into the resurrection of judgment. I can’t do anything by myself. Whatever I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just. I don’t seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.
“If I testify about myself, my testimony isn’t true. There is someone else who testifies about me, and I know his testimony about me is true. You sent a delegation to John, and he testified to the truth. Although I don’t accept human testimony, I say these things so that you can be saved. John was a burning and shining lamp, and, at least for a while, you were willing to celebrate in his light.
“I have a witness greater than John’s testimony. The Father has given me works to do so that I might complete them. These works I do testify about me that the Father sent me. And the Father who sent me testifies about me. You have never even heard his voice or seen his form, and you don’t have his word dwelling with you because you don’t believe the one whom he has sent. Examine the scriptures, since you think that in them you have eternal life. They also testify about me, yet you don’t want to come to me so that you can have life.
“I don’t accept praise from people, but I know you, that you don’t have God’s love in you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you don’t receive me. If others come in their own name, you receive them. How can you believe when you receive praise from each other but don’t seek the praise that comes from the only God?
“Don’t think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, the one in whom your hope rests. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, because Moses wrote about me. If you don’t believe the writings of Moses, how will you believe my words?”
Prayer
God,
As I begin this new day, open my heart to your word and presence. Thank you for the gift of Jesus, who reveals your love and authority. Help me understand the deep connection between the scriptures and Jesus, and to see him where he appears therein.
Lord, grant me the wisdom to discern and the grace to embrace the truth that Jesus is the fulfillment of the scriptures. May I not only read your word but also encounter the living Christ within. Teach me to hold firmly to Jesus, our guide and savior, in all that I do today.
In my interactions, my work, and my moments of quiet reflection, let me reflect Jesus' love, compassion, and truth. I ask for your guidance, strength, and peace as I walk in your light.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.