“John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me. And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face, and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me—the one he sent to you.”
John 5:35-38 NLT
John the Baptist had one God-given mission in life, and he was prepared for it almost from the time of his birth. We read in John 1:6-9, “God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world“. When pressed by the religious leaders to explain who he was, he quoted the Scripture from Isaiah 40:3, “Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!” In His conversation with the Jewish leaders, Jesus made mention of John and his witness that Jesus was the Messiah the Jews had been waiting for. But He then said that He had a greater witness than John to His authenticity. Jesus said His teachings and miracles were enough to prove who He was, and then He went further. He said that because of the works He accomplished, this proved that he had been sent by His Father in Heaven, God Himself.
In His next part of the conversation with the Jewish religious leaders, Jesus then delivered a warning and a challenge. He told them that because they failed to believe that Jesus was who He said He was, the Son of God, they had rejected God Himself. It is true that the Pharisees had reached a position in their religion where they believed that just keeping the Law and its associated rules was enough to ensure their salvation, and they therefore neglected the intent behind the Law, a relationship with God. And Jesus exposed this before them by saying “you do not have His message in your hearts”.
The teachings of Jesus have underpinned our faith ever since He walked the Palestinian paths, and when He delivered them, they clarified the intent of the Law, as well as exposing how negligent the Jewish religion had become. Through Jesus’ teachings we find a God who desires a relationship with His people, Jew or Gentile. Once He was asked asked which of the commandments was the greatest, and he replied, saying, ” … ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40). The meaning of the word “love” is clear, and our love of God, and His love for us, underpins our faith.
Jesus also said that His miracles were a witness that he had come from God. Through them His Father in Heaven testified about Him. And there is no doubt that these miracles became a stumbling block to the Jews. On one occasion the people were so excited by a miracle of healing that Jesus had performed, that they said, ” … Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” (Matthew 12:23b). But in the same event, the Pharisees stated that Jesus could only cast out the demon by the power of satan. And ever since, people have had to try and explain away the miracles Jesus performed, because otherwise they would have to admit that He was indeed the Son of God, with far-reaching consequences for their lives of sin.
We pilgrims know our God and wonder with gratitude about the miracles Jesus performed, and the miracles performed ever since in His Name. But, in the words of the famous hymn, He “saved a wretch like me”. That must be the greatest miracle of all.
Dear God. With an inexpressible gratitude we bow before Your throne today. We were heading down the broad way that leads to destruction and death, but through Jesus we found a new way that leads to life. We worship You today. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 