(Meditations on John 5-6). The Old Testament establishes the principle that truth is discerned through the testimony of multiple witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:6,19:15).

Today, this principle is applied in modern courtrooms. The innocence or guilt of the accused is assessed through the testimony of multiple witnesses.

Jesus taught that this principle also applies to evaluating his claim to be the Son of God! In John 8:17-18, Jesus told the Pharisees, “It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.” Jesus taught that his own testimony, combined with the testimony of the Father, establishes that he is the Son of God. Indeed, at Jesus’s baptism, the Father testified, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Today’s reading provides three additional witnesses to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God.

First, Jesus reminded his audience that John the Baptist “bare witness unto the truth” (5:31-35). John testified that Christ is both “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (1:29, 36) and “the Son of God” (1:34).

Second, Jesus asserted that his works are a greater witness to his deity (5:36, 10:25). Jesus healed a man that had been sick for 38 years (5:1-16). And he fed 5,000 with just “five barley loaves, and two small fishes” (6:9). Nicodemus was moved by this evidence. “We know that thou art a teacher come from God,” said Nicodemus to Jesus. “For no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (John 3:2).

Third, Jesus used the authority of Scripture (Psalm 138:2, 2 Timothy 3:16) to testify of his divinity (5:39). He revealed that Moses wrote of him (5:46. Also see Genesis 3:15, Deuteronomy 18:15-19). In Luke 24:27, Jesus taught that he was revealed in “all the scriptures.” After Philip came to Christ, he proclaimed, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth…” (John 1:45, also Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2).

Praise God for giving us this five-fold testimony to the divinity of Christ: the testimony of the Father, the Son, the forerunner of Christ, the works of Christ, and the Scriptures.

Pray, Father, encourage us through this evidence. And help us use it to bring others to Christ (Romans 10:14-15).

Learn more about some of the Old Testament prophecies that testify to the identity of Christ. See bit.ly/prophesy-Christ