Last week we left off with Jesus talking to the Pharisees in the very direct manner that he used when talking to these men. Never hostile, but confronting them with the unbelief of their hearts, which for men with ears to hear but never hearing had to be direct. Isaiah spoke of this in Isaiah 6:9, Mark also spoke of this, Mark 4:12. These Jews heard what Jesus said but did not hear.
We are the same it seems. We’ve gone to church, hopefully, and listened to the parables and lessons given out in the sermon. This is making the not always valid assumption that you’ve gone to a church that preaches the whole counsel of God. Not many do these days, and therein lies the problem. If you listen to someone that you’re not all that interested in, speaking something bland and non-committal, what they have said will go in one ear and out the other.
And because of that, our everyday conversations end up going something like this: you’re talking to somebody and they’ve mentioned they’re slightly irritated with themselves for not resisting whatever has been tempting them, but they can’t help themselves. Or, with all that’s going on in the world these days, your friend says that they worry about many things. They know they should not worry, but again, they can’t help it, they just do. And this one I’ve heard a lot of lately, “I have faith, but…” You may be confused by this, it may be something that you yourself have said. What’s the big deal?
The big deal is God knows what you need before you need it. (Matthew 6:8) Temptations are quite often a test of your willingness to trust in God. It is not a sin to be tempted, but to succumb to it is. Eve was tempted by satan, you’ll recall. (Genesis 3:1-7) Her trust in God was not what it should have been and we all are affected by her decision. Remember that Jesus was also tempted by satan, (Matthew 4:1-11) so He knows what we go through and can help you when you’re sorely tempted. Turn to Him who is our mediator, our High Priest, our King. (Hebrews 4:14-16) The rest of it comes down to trust in God to handle those things that you worry about. Why would you not? He created all, and what can you change by worry? Your Creator is handling the details and knows what is best for you. Trust, it all comes down to trust. If you truly trust in God, there would be no worry, no “but” after Faith.
So you see, this is a common problem with man’s interaction with his Creator. Back when God spoke to his people through His chosen prophet, the people spoke with their mouths that yes, they agreed with God’s commands and would follow them, but a very short time later, they requested a golden calf to worship because Moses had been gone too long, (Exodus 32:1-4) or there was no water, or they didn’t like the food, or the desert was too harsh. (Exodus 15:22, 17:16). Moses was a favorite of God (Deuteronomy 34:10–12) and yet the people rebelled. Jesus is much greater than Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6) and they were seeking to kill him, for what they perceived as blasphemy, claiming to be the Son of God, forgiving of sins, performing signs and wonders on the sabbath and the most grievous of all, telling them they were not righteous, but sinners, much like those they looked down upon.
(Mk 2:5-7; also Mt 9:2-3 and Lk 5:20-21) spoke of Moses being a great prophet, but Christ here speaks of John the Baptist, foretold so long ago by Isaiah 40:3–5, and Malachi 3:1, 4:5 and these prophecies were fulfilled in Matthew 3:1–3; Mark 1:1–3; Luke 1:76; 3:1–6; John 1:22–23. Jesus tells them that they asked John the Baptist if he was the Christ, and he testified to the truth and they accepted that. (John 5:33) But He, Jesus, says that His testimony does not come from man, here’s the whole verse: But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. (John 5:34). I find that verse 34 needs to be looked at carefully so let’s look at Ellicott’s Commentary for clarification.
(34) But I receive not testimony . . .—There is no reason for changing the word. The substantive, and verbs from John 5:31, have been rendered by “witness,” and it is better to keep it here. The English also fails to give the article, and is therefore misleading. He did receive witness from men—had received witness from John—but this was not the witness upon which all was based. Its purpose was to lead them to Christ Himself, and He now refers to it, to show them it’s true position, that that purpose might be fulfilled.
But these things I say, that ye might be saved.—The emphasis of the clause should be placed upon the pronoun “ye.” The thought is, that our Lord does not refer to John’s witness for His own sake, but in order that they might be saved. He had a greater witness than that of John, but this they were not yet prepared to receive. They had received John for a season, and had rejoiced in his light. He refers to him now that that light may lead them to the true Source of Light. Some of those who had sent to the Baptist may now understand his words in a deeper sense than any which had come to them before, and may find in them words leading to salvation.
Hopefully that helped. The English language is not always the best way to understand the Bible. The people had rejoiced for a season and were now in better shape to understand what Jesus was saying and receive salvation.
However, now we come to the hard part. Hard for the Pharisees, hard for the Jews, and sometimes hard for some of us. Jesus tells them that His testimony is greater than John’s… “for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me. And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.” (John 5:36-38).
As I said, the hard part. They did not believe Him whom He sent. Do you believe, truly believe? Trust enough to let go and let God provide your daily bread without worry? Trust Him enough to accept that every good thing you have comes from above? (James 1:17)
Here’s the rest of the hard part. Read it with your heart involved.
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. I do not receive glory from men; but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. 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. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (John 5:39-47)
Believe and Trust with your whole heart. Repent, for we sin every day and you are held accountable once you know the Good News. Accept that your Creator knows what is best for you, even before you know it. And place no conditions to the Faith you have. Live the life that you have been called to. You may not think that you have been called, but you have. You’ve been called by God, that is what saving Grace is. A calling that has lifted you from death to life, brought you into the light. The Greek word from which the English word “church” is always translated is εκκλησια which renders as call/calling/called. Jesus in Matt 16:18, “…upon this, the rock, I will be building of me the εκκλησια, and gates of hades will not be prevailing…”
We are the Called who have been chosen by God for salvation, (Ephesians 1:4-5) plucked out of our headlong path to damnation, for the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23) What the church then becomes is not a building, but we the Called coming together to worship He who has called us, who then go out and do His will in obedience to our Calling.
Having now knowledge of this, go forth and serve your King and give glory to Him in all that you do, for you are among the Called. As you ponder this lesson, and I pray that you do, may the Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)