Day 38: Why Jesus?

Read John 4-5

Found at the end of John 5 is a profoundly unique portion of the bible that deeply clarifies God's relationship with Jesus. Have you asked yourself these questions - why do we believe in Jesus? Is he really the Son of God? How were those back in the day able to trust that He was their Messiah? As Christians we should all eventually get to the point where we ask the tough questions - it helps us solidify the rock upon which our faith is based.

By breaking it down into a few verses at a time, we can see how Jesus' words plainly show us who He is and why we can trust in him.

1. Jesus submits to the Father

I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. -John 5:30

These few verses clarify that Jesus is completely dependent on God. Every step of the way, Jesus prayed and consulted God so God's will and Jesus' actions would be aligned. And despite being human, Jesus was set apart from all other humans in that (among other things) he had the unique ability to judge the hearts of others. But this characteristic of Jesus was imparted to him ONLY because His will and God's will are one and the same. This gives us faith in Him because we know He is not trying to assert his authority apart from God; it COMES from God.

That has implications for our judgement as well - your ability to judge the hearts of others is also intimately related to how close your will is with God's. Contrary to what many may believe, as Christians we ARE occasionally called to judge others (a brilliant article with scripture that goes deeper into this) - otherwise we may be led astray. But the way we judge ought to be out of the same love God has for His people, and the accuracy of our judgement is only as good as our understanding of His will.


2. Others bear witness of Jesus

If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. -John 5:31-35

Here Jesus brings up a good point that we should all be thinking - how can Jesus claim himself to be the Messiah? How could we possibly know that He is the true One, and not just another one of the many fakes reported to be popping up around that time? Jesus points to the words of John who came before him. Although he was just a man, the gospels talk about how his message was popular among the Jews at the time, and he had many followers. By "rejoicing" in his light, they embraced his ministry for the short time that he was preaching. "So that you might be saved," Jesus uses John's (admittedly limited) testimony about Him to help convince others that He is their Savior.


3. His works bear witness

But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. -John 5:36

Jesus brings in another aspect of his ministry that was largely unique - his wondrous works. The gospels are chalk-full of stories of His healings, visions, resurrections, and scientifically impossible miracles - not to mention is own resurrection! - to substantiate the claim that Jesus has a divine power. However, Jesus again reiterates that these works come from His Father - in fact, they could ONLY come from Him! This is just further proof He was sent by God.


4. Scriptures bear witness

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. -John 5:39-40

Jesus uses the fact that the scriptures clearly state how Jesus was foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament. No one would have known this better than the Jewish leaders (to whom Jesus was addressing), and He does not use any unclear language when telling them that they missed it. While the leaders spent their lives searching for the eternal life that was spoken of in these texts, they failed to realize the way to that very life was staring them in the face.

(Note: Just one resource if you're interested in learning a few examples of how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy).


5. God bears witness

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... I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 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. -John 5:37,41-43

Jesus alludes to the Father himself as one who bears witness of Jesus. In fact God came in the form of a dove to disclose that Jesus is with whom God is "well pleased." (Mark 1:10)  However, God's voice was not heard among the people, so instead Jesus uses this relationship to say that a rejection of Jesus equates a rejection of the Father who sent Him. And because they didn't truly love God, they would be led astray by others who would come afterwards.

The field of apologetics is the discipline that deals with the "defense and establishment of the Christian faith." From this section we see that Jesus doesn't ask us to take just his works, the words of others, or the scriptures alone for face value to put our full hope and trust in Him.  But when all combined together, its clear that He comes out on top.  One aspect that we can't forget, however, is the love of God within us is what actually solidifies our stance in Him and keeps our foundation in Christianity strong.  Jesus was the perfect embodiment of that love - if they people had God's love within them, they would have picked out Jesus among the imposters readily.

Application:

1. In regard to judgement, let us take seriously the reprimand of another Christian of authority who fully walks with God. At the same time, always give judgement with humility - no one fully understands His whole picture.
2. Lets take some time to think about why we believe in Jesus.  Is it the testimony of others before him?  His works?  The scriptures he fulfills?  A solid stance on why we believe really helps us stick through troubling times.
3. Does the love of God reside within us?  Until it does, we run the risk of being led astray.  Pray a short prayer for God to impart that love within you.

- Ben Abraham