January 25
JOHN 5
39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
– John 5:39-47
JOHN 5 THE SCRIPTURES POINT TO JESUS
In this account, Jesus further addresses the religious Scribes and Pharisees. This discourse of Jesus towards their claim that they know Scriptures is so brilliantly revealed to John. Jesus didn’t argue with them as they engaged him to prove his claim as God. Jesus reveals their minds and exposes their phoniness regarding being knowledgeable of the word that they have studied so well. Since they have spent years studying the Scripture, they think they know it and are experts at understanding them. According to Barclay’s commentary “The scribes and Pharisees desired the praise of men. They dressed in such a way that everyone would recognize them. They prayed in such a way that everyone would see. They loved the front seats in the Synagogue. They loved the deferential greetings of men on the street. And just because of that they could not hear the voice of God.”
The Pharisees and Scribes were outrightly exposed here. They love themselves so much and are obsessed with being adored by men. They weren’t truly searching for truth. They were using the word to argue with others and show off how much they know. If they study to discover truth, they would not have missed that the Scriptures pointed to Jesus. Because of their obsession with accolades, they missed the revelation. They would have recognized Jesus if they humbly accepted the word without ulterior motives, because Jesus himself is the Word. They didn’t believe him so their minds were shut and unable to see the glory of God. They were too busy claiming honor and glory for themselves.
REFLECTION
• What caution should we take when reading and studying the word of God?
