Reading for February 15th

  Read John 5.31-47. In 5.31-47: Witness to Jesus. In verse 31: Jewish law did not accept self-witness (see Deut 19.15). Contrasts 8.13-18. In verses 32-33: Another who testifies maybe John but is most likely God. The reference to John looks back to 1.19-28. In  verses 34-35: The witness of John was the witness of Jesus' work of the Father (see 5.17). God's testimony of Jesus could be in his works, or, in light of 5.39, 45-47, in the scriptures. But reference to the inaccessibility of God's voice and form recalls Ex 19.9-11. In verses 39-40: They fail to see that the scriptures witness to Jesus, who gives eternal life. In verses 41-44 Jesus may sound self-promoting, but he gains no glory for himself, only for the Father. In verses 45-47: despite 5.27, Jesus is not the accuser: This is one role Moses (in the law); another role is to witness to Jesus. Comments or Questions..