John 5:31-40 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.… Jesus, Mediator between God and man, suffers two desertions, and utters two complaints. On that side, God forsook Him; and on this side, man. The answer to the first desertion, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" came in a strong cry from His dying lips; the answer to the second is written here, "Ye will not come to Me that ye might have life." The desertion by the Father in the utmost agony of the Son was the greater — was inconceivably, infinitely great; but the lower and lesser — the desertion by sinners whom He seeks that He may save — pierces His heart more painfully, because the last desertion makes the first for that case of no avail. When we come to Him for life, He sees, He tastes of the travail of His soul and is satisfied; when we refuse, He complains that so far His soul has travailed in vain. The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord "risen from the dead"; the Lord is gladder when He sees disciples coming to Himself as doves to their windows. (W. Arnot, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. |
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