The Witness of the Father

Lesson #93

In this lesson we will look at the third of four witnesses given in John 5:33 – 47. These four witnesses are the witness of John the Baptist, the witness of works, the witness of the Father, and the witness of Scripture. For the witness of the Father we will look at John 5:37 – 38: “And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent” (ESV). This is a harsh statement to the Jews; one which will increase their level of anger toward Jesus.

At the baptism of Jesus a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17 ESV). I believe the Father has also spoken during the Old Testament times when he left peculiar markings along the way of a coming Messiah; one who would provide salvation. God spoke through the prophets is such a way that the Jews could have formed an idea of a coming Christ, but when he was manifested in the flesh before them as Jesus they despised him and therefore rejected him. The Jews boasted of their knowledge of the Law, but Jesus also called them on this because from the law they didn’t understand what Jesus was testifying of.

John said that they did not hear his voice, but yet they did hear his voice at the baptism of Jesus. The meaning is not just in hearing a sound of a voice, but what is implied is that they did not obey or listen to what God had been telling them. God had given the Jews sufficient evidence of his coming Son, but they disregarded it. 2 Corinthians 3:14 makes this clear: “But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away” (ESV).

Jesus tells them that they do not have the Word of God abiding in them and proof of this is that they didn’t believe the one whom the Father had sent. Jesus is the source of life and without him one remains dead in their sin. That is the message Jesus was declaring to the Jews. Are we any different today. God is speaking in many ways to us, but most tune him out and listen to the clamor of the world.

Prayer

Father, you love us so much you created a universe for us to live in and when we sinned you continued to love us and sent your Son to purchase our salvation. Throughout history you continued to reveal yourself and prepare us to receive your Son. Thank you for your promise that those who come to your Son in belief will experience an eternal love relationship with you. Help me to be more faithful and obedient as your child.