John 5:39-44 - Live out the Scriptures

After Jesus healed the thirty-eight-year disabled man, the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem were pretty on tilt. These Jewish leaders began to persecute Jesus, mocking and then trying to kill him because he broke the Sabbath and was calling God his own father. 

The closing of John 5 is Jesus speaking to these leaders. It is rich with deep and meaningful content. It also contains some verses that are highly debated and wrestled with to understand the meaning. A lot of thoughts, opinions, and commentary about resurrection and different resurrections come from Jesus' words to these leaders. 

These words from Jesus to the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem really stood out;

“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. “I do not accept glory from human beings, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” - ‭‭John‬ ‭5:39-44‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As I read these words from Jesus, and reflect upon them, I process how important our faith lived out really is. That we are the living Word of God to those around us, so what are we preaching and teaching with our lives and actions. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. The Jewish leaders not only read, and studied the Scriptures, they had them memorized. But, knowing the Scriptures by heart and studying the Scriptures does not make you a Christ-follower. Knowing Jesus and following Jesus is different than knowing the Bible. We must not confuse the two. Jesus makes a critical point when he says; I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. How did Jesus know they did not have the love of God in their hearts? Their actions. How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

Accepting glory from one another, but not seeking the glory that comes from the only God. Pursuing and receiving the glory from a following. Looking for affirmation and glory from others around us, and not looking to Jesus. These words can cut to the core, and need to press deep into us. We live in a society that honors and glorifies external glory from others, even in the church. Jesus threw down the gauntlet to these religious leaders about where the glory focus was, I think we need to pay close attention to this section of Scripture, and we must take it to heart and live out our lives with the love of God in our hearts.