39 You examine the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is those very Scriptures that testify about Me; 40 and yet you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people; 42 but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. 43 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. 44 How can you believe, when you accept glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? 

John 5:39-44  (NASB)

The Right Source

After sharing all the testimonies that prove Jesus is the Messiah, the one they should believe in for salvation, He gives the final testimony – the Scriptures. He commends them for seeking the truth in the scriptures – not that they trusted in the Scriptures themselves, but trusted in what Scripture says is the way to salvation. Why was it good? Because the very Scriptures they are searching provides the answer: Jesus.

Rejecting the obvious

Yet they reject the obvious. It’s not a case of “missing the forest for the trees”. They outright reject Him, the one who can give them life. You might say the truth is “hiding in plain sight”. In fact, the Truth is the one talking with them! 

Misplaced glory/honor

“Jesus did not appeal to the testimony of humans in order to determine His own identity (John 5:35), nor did He receive the praise (Gr. doxa) of people for this purpose. Jesus’ criticisms of His hearers did not arise from wounded pride. He said what He did in order to win the Father’s praise, not man’s praise. Jesus’ critics, in contrast, behaved in order to receive praise from one another (cf. John 5:44). Jesus knew them well, but they did not know Him. Love for God did not motivate them as it did Him.” (planobiblechapel.org)

This was a shocking indictment of the Jews. It’s a continuation of the tough love of yesterday. Jesus is working to get their attention and redirect it to Himself. He must tell them the truth and expose the lies and their sin of unbelief. Let us not be fearful of doing the same, in a loving manner.

<- Reflection ->

• Consider our source of praise, glory, honor. If we’re honest, we love the praise of men. “Wow, you are so smart! How’d you figure that out?” feels really good. But it is vanity. It passes away. God’s praise remains.
• Where are you looking for salvation? Is it misplaced? Believe in Jesus.