As a result of the Jews questioning Jesus’ source and
authority to do the things that He did, Jesus unveiled His relationship with
the Father and the works that He was doing..
It appears that they had no problem with a supposed anonymous healing of
the lame man, according to some superstition.
This is not questioned. What is questioned is who told this man to take
up his pallet and walk on the Sabbath.
No punishment for the lame man. They just wanted him to expose the one
who gave him the instructions. Where is
their commitment to the Law? Or could it be that they are more concerned about
their power or authority being challenged above the offense of the lame man?
We must remember that Jesus came to dispel the darkness as
the light of the world. Thus, we must conclude that in both religion and
relationship, Jesus reveals the Father’s love and purpose through His life and
works. Consequently, the truth about His mission and His relationship with the
Father is made known. True religion finds its basis in the work of Jesus
Christ, and a relationship with the Father is only through Jesus revealing Him.
In our passage of John 5:33-40, Jesus communicates the
multiple witnesses to the revelation of His works and words to the Jews, an
unbelieving group whose intentions are to kill Him. If only they would listen
and understand the One before them, their mission would be challenged at its
core. After all, Jesus is equal to God. He is God in the flesh, “the Word
became flesh and dwelt among us.” (1:14)
Beloved, even those who reject Jesus are offered an
opportunity to hear from Him. It may be a foregone conclusion that they will
reject Him, but Jesus’ task of being light and life for men is now. His
function as Judge, as we have already seen, will come in the future. Right now,
He is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (1:29) The witness
deck is loaded and the first to stand for Jesus is John. Then follows the works
that Jesus does, the Father Himself, and the very Scripture that these men hold
dear to themselves. All of these come alongside Jesus in confirmation of His
identity. This is what must be believed. Otherwise, any religion short of this
understanding falls short of knowing God. Call witnesses to the stand!
