Witness to Jesus (John 5:30-47)

“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.” Why could Jesus do nothing on his own? How did Jesus demonstrate that he could do nothing on his own? Jesus’ statement implies that he judged while he was on earth. In what way(s) did Jesus judge? What are some examples of Jesus’ submission to the will of the Father?

Why would Jesus’ testimony about himself not be valid? Why did Jesus need another witness? What Old Testament principle comes into play here? Who were Jesus’ witnesses?

How could the Jews be saved by what Jesus said?

In what way(s) did the Jews rejoice in John’s light?

How did the works Jesus performed bear witness that the Father had sent him? What is the connection between the “works” (miracles) of Jesus and faith? How can Jesus’ works produce faith today?

“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.” The Father had spoken from heaven during the Jews’ lifetime (for example, at the baptism of Jesus). Why had these Jews not heard the Father’s voice? What does it really mean to hear the Father’s voice?

Why had the Jews not seen the Father’s form?

The Jews did not have the Father’s word abiding in them. How does the Father’s word abide in people? Why could the Jews not have the Father’s word in them? Why is believing in the One whom the Father sent a prerequisite for having God’s word abiding in one?

The Jews searched the Scriptures to have eternal life. Is eternal life found in the Scriptures?

Jesus said that the Scriptures testified of him. Obviously, he means what we call the “Old Testament,” for that was the only Scripture during his earthly life. How did the Old Testament testify of Jesus? What do we learn about Jesus from a study of the Old Testament? What are some examples of Old Testament teaching concerning Jesus?

Is there a danger in searching Scripture but missing the real message – the Person of Jesus?

Why did the Jews refuse to come to Jesus in order to have life?

Jesus did not receive glory from people. From where did he get his glory?

How did Jesus know that the Jews did not have the love of God in them? How had they demonstrated that they did not have the love of God in them? How can we show the world that we do have the love of God in us?

Why would anyone not choose to receive Jesus?

Why would the Jews receive another who would come in Jesus’ name?

“How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” Why did receiving glory from one another keep the Jews from believing? In what way(s) did the Jews receive glory from one another? Do people today receive glory from one another? What type of people seek glory from one another? How does one seek the glory that comes from the only God? What is the glory that comes from the only God?

How did Moses accuse the Jews? How had the Jews set their hope on Moses? Why should the Jews have believed Moses?

Why would the Jews not believe Jesus if they did not believe Moses’ writings?