Thoughts on the Gospel of John (63) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

I have a greater witness than John's, for the works which the Father has given me to finish - the very works that I do - bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me. And the Father himself, who sent me, has testified of me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form. But you do not have his word abiding in you, because whom he sent, him you do not believe.
John 5: 36 - 38.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (63)
When Jesus of Nazareth stated and explained to the Jews that God was His own Father, which He was indeed, He referred to four witnesses:

1. the testimony of John the Baptist (vv. 32 - 35),
2. the testimony of His miraculous works (v. 36),.
3. the Father's witness (vv. 37.38) and
4. the witness of the Scriptures (vv. 39 - 47).

The Lord chose this order deliberately: the list reveals increasing intensity. The works that the Father gave Him to carry out are a greater witness of the excellency of His Person than that of John. John was like a lamp, whereas Jesus' miraculous deeds were like rays emitted directly from the sun. They were so obviously divine that they proved Jesus to be the One sent by the Father.

In the third place the Father Himself had given witness of His Son: He revealed Himself in His Son, so that the Lord could later tell the Jews: "If you had known me, you would have known my Father also" (ch.8, v. 19). They would have been able to hear the Father's "voice" and see His "form", if they had only wished to and had believed the Lord. Do we accept the Father's testimony? For Him it is exceedingly important that we recognise His Son!

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today‘s reading: 2 Kings 14: 17 - 29 · 1 John 2: 12 - 19