On a recent evening at our church, Pastor Nathan Jones delivered a compelling message from John 5:31-35, focusing on the divine authority of Jesus Christ and the witnesses that confirm His deity. Drawing from his 18 years of church planting in the remote Nunavut Territory, Pastor Jones shared a heartfelt challenge for believers to live as bold witnesses for Christ. His sermon unpacked five key testimonies that verify Jesus as the Son of God sent to redeem the world, culminating in a call for Christians to carry this truth to others. Below is the essence of his message, formatted for reflection and encouragement.
John the Baptist: A Burning and Shining Light
In John 5:33 (KJV), Jesus declares, “Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.” Pastor Jones began by highlighting John the Baptist as the first witness to Christ’s divine identity. Speaking to the Jewish leaders who were angered by Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath, Jesus pointed to John’s testimony. John, known for his wilderness preaching and distinctive lifestyle, boldly announced the coming of the Savior. Jesus described him in verse 35 as “a burning and a shining light,” a powerful image of a life wholly dedicated to God’s purpose. Pastor Jones encouraged us to aspire to such a testimony, that others might say of us, “They burned brightly for Christ.”
The Works of Jesus: A Testimony of Divine Power
Jesus continues in John 5:36 (KJV), “But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.” The miracles of Jesus—raising the dead, healing the blind, and performing countless wonders—served as undeniable evidence of His divine authority. Pastor Jones emphasized the word “finish” in this verse, pointing to Jesus’ ultimate work on the cross, where He declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30). These acts were not mere displays of power but a testament to His mission as the Savior sent by God to redeem humanity.
The Father: God’s Own Testimony
In John 5:37-38 (KJV), Jesus states, “And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.” Pastor Jones reflected on moments when God the Father openly testified to His Son, such as at Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:16-17 (KJV): “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Yet, Jesus noted that the Jewish leaders had not truly heard or heeded God’s voice, choosing to ignore the divine testimony. This serves as a sobering reminder to listen attentively to God’s truth.
The Scriptures: Prophecies Fulfilled
Jesus further appeals to the Scriptures in John 5:39-47 (KJV), saying, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” Pastor Jones pointed to the Old Testament, particularly the writings of Moses, as a witness to Christ. From Genesis 3:15, where God promised a Savior to defeat Satan, to the prophecies of Isaiah and the symbols of the Passover lamb and brazen serpent, the Scriptures consistently point to Jesus. The Jewish leaders, despite their knowledge of these texts, failed to recognize the Messiah. Pastor Jones urged us to search the Scriptures diligently, allowing them to guide us to Christ and His truth.
Christians as Witnesses: Our Call to Action
Finally, Pastor Jones turned to Acts 1:8 (KJV), where Jesus commissions His followers: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” While John the Baptist, Jesus’ miracles, the Father’s voice, and the Scriptures all testify to Christ’s deity, believers today are called to be living witnesses. Pastor Jones stressed that our words, actions, and attitudes form a “total package” that reflects Christ to the world. Whether through sharing the gospel or living with integrity, we are to shine as lights, just as John did, reaching our communities and beyond with the message of salvation.
Conclusion
Pastor Jones closed with a challenge to embody the role of a witness for Christ, showing the world what it means to walk in Christian victory. As he prepares to transition to a new ministry in Yukon and take on leadership with Points North Baptist Mission, his passion for reaching remote areas with the gospel remains evident. May we heed his call to be faithful witnesses, living out our faith with boldness and authenticity, trusting in the verified authority of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.
