The Father Testifies of the Son

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | March 28, 2024 | John 5:37-38

KEY VERSE:

“And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe.” John 5:37-38 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

The next witness that Jesus brings to their attention again is God the Father. Despite repeatedly referring to God as His Father, the religious leaders have reacted with anger and hostility. They are unwilling to believe or even listen to His words. This passage underscores the significance of acknowledging and embracing the Father's testimony regarding Jesus' true identity. God the Father has testified about Jesus in various ways, such as during His baptism (Matthew 3:17) and the transfiguration (Matthew 17:5). These events confirmed Jesus' divine nature and His mission on earth. Jesus admonishes the religious leaders for failing to recognize the Father's testimony in Him. Their refusal to believe reveals their lack of understanding and obedience to God's word. Belief in Jesus as the Son of God is essential for salvation. Those who reject Him not only reject Jesus but also reject the Father who sent Him. This highlights the interconnectedness of belief in Jesus and the Father.

God sent Jesus to touch our hearts and bring us back to Himself. He sent Him with a message of grace and acts of kindness, to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom and call us to live by its values. Despite this, many reject Jesus, either through indifference or explicit denial. However, Jesus makes a profound statement: "If you choose the Father, you must choose me. Rejecting me means rejecting the Father who sent me." Jesus challenges us to decide about Him because He claims to be the only way to the Father. The question is not about our opinions on His claims but whether He is who He claims to be. If He is, then everything in our lives hinges on our decisions about Him. It's not about political correctness; it's about eternal truth.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

How does the Father's testimony of Jesus' identity impact your belief in Him as the Son of God? In what ways do you recognize and abide in the Father's word in your life? How can you deepen your understanding and acceptance of the Father's testimony concerning Jesus?

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for sending your Son to reveal you and save me. I truly believe that Jesus is your Son and died to save me from my sins. Help me to share my faith in Jesus with those that I love and to do it with gentleness and respect so that they, too, can come to see Jesus for who he is. I pray this in his precious and holy name. Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

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DAILY word study: FATHER

In Greek, the word for "Father" is "πατήρ" (patēr), denoting the male parent or originator. It signifies the role of God as the source of life, authority, and love.

Jesus highlights the Father's testimony concerning Him, affirming that God Himself has borne witness to Jesus as the Son sent from heaven. However, the Jews' failure to recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah reveals their spiritual blindness and disbelief. Jesus emphasizes the importance of recognizing the testimony of the Father and embracing His word. He highlights that those who do not believe in Him also do not believe in the One who sent Him, thus rejecting the Father's testimony and authority.

Reflective Question: How do you perceive the testimony of the Father concerning Jesus? Are you open to receiving and believing the revelation of God's truth about His Son, or do you allow preconceived notions and worldly influences to cloud your understanding?