the point of it all

For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?

John 5:46-47

These words were spoken by Jesus in answer to the confrontation the Jewish religious leaders had with Him because He healed a lame man on the sabbath. They refused to marvel at the miracle and instead reacted at an insult of their own making. Jesus points out their hypocritical inconsistency. They claimed to adhere to the entire Law of Moses. Yet Moses clearly pointed to a redeeming Messiah yet to come. The story of the bronze serpent raised in the wilderness foreshadowed Jesus’ own atoning work. Moses’ personal prophecy of a “new prophet” God would raise up that Israel would listen to (Deuteronomy 18:15) would ultimately find complete fulfillment in Jesus alone. By disregarding Jesus, these people rejected Moses whom they claimed to obey in the fullest.

Genuine believers are receptive to the Word of God. They don’t use the Bible as a manipulative tool, but instead allow God to shape their hearts as they listen, respond, and obey to what God says. Those who truly believe what Moses wrote will hear how it points to Someone greater. They will hear what Jesus says. Jesus speaks God’s Word. All that Moses wrote, all that the prophets proclaimed, all that the history of the Old Testament pointed to, all that the story of God’s saving work among the peoples of the world shows... all of it... testifies clearly of Jesus. Jesus is the world’s only hope and salvation. It was true when Jesus confronted this unbelief. It is still the truth today.

All that people need is found in Jesus. He strengthens the weary. He forgives sinners. He heals the sick. He brings hope in despairing situations. He brings rest. He conforts the grieving. He is the resurrection and the life. Believe His own words about what all the Bible says and see how it all directs us to believe and trust Him! His grace, so much better than our self-righteousness, longs to bring us full blessing and peace. Look where it all points! Jesus is the point of it all.