Does the Word of God abide in you?
[31] If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. [32] There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. [33] You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. [34] Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. [35] He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. [36] But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. [37] And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, [38] and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.
- John 5:31-38
As Jesus continues to address the Jewish leaders, he declares that the Scriptures and John the baptist affirm his deity, and he is in perfect harmony with his Father in heaven. As the Father bears witness to the Son (John 5:37), Jesus also bears witness to whatever he had seen and heard from the Father (John 3:11, 32-33).
One of the fundamental problems with the Jewish leaders is that they did not believe in Jesus because they did not have God's word abiding in them. (John 3:38a).
Dear Church, as the psalmist declares, let us store up his word in our hearts by meditating on it day and night.
but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
- Psalm 1:2I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
- Psalm 119:11
