John 5:41-47 - Homiletics

The cause and the end of Jewish unbelief.

Jesus has just declared that the Jews will not come to him, and now he reveals its cause.

I. THE CAUSE OF THEIR UNBELIEF . "I know that ye have not the love of God in you."

1 . This love would oblige them to seek honour only from God, and thus appreciate the glory the Father has given to the Son.

2 . Jesus has no concern for man ' s praise or report, for the Father's testimony is all-sufficient. "I receive not honour from men."

3 . The Jews could not receive this testimony, because human considerations had blinded their eyes. "How can ye believe, who receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour which cometh from God only?"

4 . Mark the readiness of the Jews to receive false Messiahs. "If another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive." Sixty-four false Messiahs have appeared at various periods to receive the temporary homage of the Jews.

II. THE END OF JEWISH UNBELIEF — CONDEMNATION THROUGH MOSES HIMSELF .

1 . The true accuser of the Jews.

2 . The connection between faith in Jesus and faith in Moses. "For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me."

(a) The writings of Moses might be regarded as possessing greater weight, because they were contained in a book, than mere words of mouth.

(b) They had all the prestige of age and usage. If, therefore, they were rejected in their true import, how could the Jews be expected to receive the oral teaching of him to whom the writings bore witness?