Tag Archives: Doing Good

Day 42: Testimony of Miracles

John 5:31-38 : “If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid. It is another who testifies about me. I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true. You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. But the testimony which I receive is not from man. However, I say these things that you may be saved. He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John, for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me. The Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form. You don’t have his word living in you; because you don’t believe him whom he sent.

Jesus continues His discourse to the Jewish leadership when He found out they wanted to kill Him. Once again, He brings up the subject of testimony. He says that He can’t testify for Himself, but that there is one who’s testimony they can rely on. He mentions two witnesses:

  • John the Baptist
  • God the Father by way of miracles

Jesus, moving past the horror of the fact that they planned to kill Him, carefully details the case as to why His claims were legally worthy of consideration. He explained to them that yes, John testified, but I have a greater testimony than that of John; and my miracles testify that God Himself agrees with me.

This is not an unusual concept for a Jew. Moses came to Egypt to free them and display God’s glory using signs that God used to testify that Moses was who he said he was. Perhaps the greatest sign that God gave Moses was a sign of death to the firstborn the night before the God freed them. Jesus was about to give the biggest sign of all as well, and it was not to be death this time.

Then, Jesus turns the tables and levels an accusation against them. He claimed that they knew nothing of God because they didn’t accept Him. Here He says that they have never seen or heard God and they don’t have his word living in them. I would think that this is a very heavy accusation to a Jewish religious leader because they took pride in their knowledge of the Bible. To say that they didn’t have God’s word living in them must have hurt their pride. This was a thing that Jesus not only didn’t attempt to avoid, but determined to do. He purposefully hurt their pride. Once again, the Bible doesn’t describe a passive Jesus. He continues on with this tone in the next verses.

Day 41
Day 43

Day 41: The Problem of Immortality

John 5:24-30 : “Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Most certainly, I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of God’s voice; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself. He also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man. Don’t marvel at this, for the hour comes, in which all that are in the tombs will hear his voice, and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous; because I don’t seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me.

Here, Jesus tells us that everyone will be brought back to life from the dead. He will give the command and everyone will be brought back. Here we find out more about how this eternal life works. Those who do good will be raised to life and those who have done evil will go to judgment.

Notice how it says that he who believes in Him will not come into judgment and later it says that those who have done good will be the ones who miss judgment. By believing in Jesus, you will become one who does good. This is an important thing. It isn’t by trying to be good that you become good. It is by believing in Jesus. This a critical change that Jesus made when He brought us His salvation. Jesus’ own way of doing things is an example for us as well.

He said that He “can of myself do nothing.” This is how it is for all of those who become Christians today. None of us can do anything of ourselves. If we think we can, we only fool ourselves (and make fools of ourselves). We need God’s power in our lives in order to do the good that we want to do. When God changed us, He made us want to do His will inside just like Jesus does. We should follow Jesus’ example and do nothing of ourselves. This will make it possible for us to live a good life like Jesus did.

Here we see the severe importance of human immortality. After this life, all will be raised. This changes everything. If the here-and-now was all that there is, then it would make sense to party and make the most of this short miserable life. The fact is, we are all going to shed our immortality. After that is when the most important things happen. This is why Christians focus on the time after death. That is the point of no return. Until then, everyone has a chance to believe in Jesus.

Day 40
Day 42