Tag Archive | 2-3 witnesses

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (6/29) John 5:31-47

Jun29

Read and believe in Jesus

“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

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Last time, Jesus claimed He was equal with God, calling Him His Father. This infuriated the religious leaders, and they began at this point to seek how they could KILL Jesus. Then, as if to drive His point home with these know-it-alls, Jesus listed the ways that He had the same authority as the Father, even to the point of raising the dead and giving life. Jesus promised that whoever heard Him and believed His words would pass from death to LIFE. And yet, to emphasize His utter “oneness” with God the Father, Jesus stated, “I can do nothing on my own.”

John 5:31-47.

In Jewish law, two or three testimonies/witnesses were REQUIRED in order to prove a fact – either guilt or innocence. (See Deuteronomy 19:15-16). Jesus tells the religious leaders that there are indeed FOUR witnesses to His authority and origin.

  • Vss 33-35 – the testimony of John the Baptist
  • Vs. 36 – the “works” (or miracles) that He does
  • Vss 37-38 – God, His Father, had given witness for Him, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
  • Vss 39-47 – the very Scriptures these men revered and studied so well gave witness about Jesus.

Then Jesus’ sad words, “Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”

Then Jesus tells them that Moses (his writings, the Law), which they so highly regarded, is the very thing that will accuse them to God, the Father. “If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote of Me.”

Deuteronomy 18:15 – (Moses speaking to the Israelites.) “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers – it is to Him you shall listen.”

John 4:19 – “The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.'”

John 6:14 – “When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, ‘This is indeed the Prophet who is come into the world.'”

John 7:40 – ‘When they heard these words, some of the people said, ‘This really is the Prophet.’ Others said, ‘This is the Christ.'”

(It seems the people were “getting it,” but the pious leaders ground their heels and refused to believe.)

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(Oh, Lord! We do believe. But help our unbelief. Help us never to let our learning or perceived knowledge block the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Help us to see Jesus and believe all He says. Let us never refuse the eternal life He offers.)

Jesus here claimed FOUR witnesses to his veracity.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 76

Mar16

    Day 76 —  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, we have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!

   Day 76– Deuteronomy 17 – 20 (Forbidden worship, Judges, Kings, Priests, Cities of Refuge, Witnesses, Warfare)

Moses with another eclectic list of laws, duties, and possibilities.  Chapter 17 reviews the seriousness of worshiping idols and leading others to do so = death. Priests & Judges, with 2-3 witnesses decide the fate of murderers and assault cases.

Moses also covers the time when Israel will want a king for themselves, and what special laws will apply to him.

Chapter 18 reaffirms that the people MUST support their brothers, the Levites, for they are not proportioned any land. It also warns strongly against any occult practices, and sentences death to practitioners.

And then Moses tells of “a Prophet” that God will raise up from their tribes and put His own words in His mouth. Israel is to “listen to Him.” (An early hint of the Messiah. See John 1:21, 25, 6:14)

Chapter 19  again distinguishes between premeditated murder and manslaughter, calling for three Cities of Refuge to safeguard the one who accidentally killed someone, and more cities as the nation grows.  It also warns of untrue and malicious witnesses, saying they shall be punished as was meant for the supposed offender.

In Chapter 20 Moses covers a new topic, that of warfare, first when fighting enemies around Israel, and then those inside the Land.  In the first case, they can besiege cities (but not cut down fruit trees for siegeworks), and when they conquer it, everything will be their spoil. The captured people will be forced labor and all animals and goods are theirs.  However, when they are fighting against the cities of Canaan, they shall utterly destroy everybody and everything.  First to clear the land of idolatry, and then to punish these offenders whose iniquity was finally “ripe,” and to give space for Israel.

Interestingly, there are 4 types of men who can “evade the military draft.”  1) Any man who has built a new home and has not dedicated it. 2) Any man who has planted a vineyard and has not yet enjoyed the fruit yet. 3) Any man who has betrothed a wife but has not yet taken her in marriage.  4) And finally, any man who is fearful and fainthearted may also leave the service.