Blindness to the Truth of the Scriptures

John 5:30–47
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I once heard a story about an 11-year-old boy who bundled up on a rainy, cold Sunday afternoon to pass out tracts. His father who was a pastor said, “Son, it is very cold outside, and it is pouring down rain. The surprised son replied, “But Dad, aren’t people stil … More

Blindness

Jesus knew that they would not accept His testimony alone. The Old Testament law required two or three witnesses for a man to be found guilty (Deut. 17:6). Therefore, Jesus supplied actional witnesses. His witness were (1) Himself (vv.30-31), (2) John the Baptist (vv. 33-35), (3) His works (miracles), (4) the Father (vv. 37-38), and (5) The Scriptures (v.39). The Jews were constantly searching the Scriptures, recognizing that they contained the secret of eternal life (v. 39). These same Scriptures bear testimony of Christ, yet these pious Jews were blind, unable to understanding who Christ was (v. 46). They knew the rules but missed the Savior.

Because of their hardness of heart, they rejected Christ (vv. 40-43). Christ does not receive honor (glory or praise) from men. Christ had come in the authority of His Father with mighty miracles to prove His deity, but they rejected Him. “If another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.” (v. 43b) This was proven when the Jews accepted false messiahs like Theudas, and Judas of Galilee (Acts 5:36-37). They will also accept the antichrist (II Thess. 2:8–10). The Jews could not believe, because they desired praise from each other rather than praise from God (vv. 44-47). The name Jew means “praised.” The Jews had the utmost confidence in Moses and his writings. They claimed to be Moses’ disciples (9:28), and yet they did not accept what Moses had said (Deut 18:15–18). If they had accepted Moses’ writings, they would have accepted Christ, for he wrote of Him. These religious leaders persisted in protecting tradition instead of understanding truth. It is very easy for us to become so involved in “Bible study” that we fail to see who Jesus really is and what He wants to do in our lives.

Application

“So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17). It is only as I use the Word of God that I will be able to lead others to a saving knowledge of Christ. I am so glad that I do not have to go through life blind to God’s plan as revealed in His Word.

John 5:30-47 (English Standard Version)

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