“So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules. 17 But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” 18 So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to find a way to kill him. For he not only broke the Sabbath, he called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God.” John 5:16-18
“If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid. 32 But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true. 33 In fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true. 34 Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved. 35 John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. 36 But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face, 38 and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me—the one he sent to you. 39 “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! 40 Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.” John 5:31-38 NLT
Our Father,
Right from the beginning the Jewish leaders wanted rid of Jesus. Even though he was healing people and teaching ways of peace. He would undo all their power and change things. Why are we so anti change even when it is for good? Here Jesus answers them using their own law of three witnesses. If a person had three witnesses to their innocence and telling the truth there would be no judgement. Just as three witnesses to a crime could find a person judged guilty.
So Jesus here calmly explained He had three witnesses to His divinity not just his own. Firstly there was a man called John the Baptist who witnessed (verse 33). Secondly there were His wisdom in teaching and the miracles. Then thirdly there was the Father, You God. You spoke about Him all through the Torah, the Old Testament books of the law and the prophets and the Psalms.
Jesus clearly put forward His truth and then we are told he sailed over to the far side of Galilee to Tiberius. Sometimes we are not called to argue but to state our case clearly and then withdraw to another place. But these truths give us solid ground to build our faith on. Like the man who built his house upon the rock (Matthew 7:24-27) Providing that knowing them and knowing You leads to a change in our behaviour from sinner to servant of God.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 26th October 2025
A brief story of song is underneath the lyrics.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name
Repeat verse . . .
Christ alone, Cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Saviour’s love
Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
Chorus
He is Lord, Lord of all,
Chorus Twice
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless stand before the throne
Lyrics: Edward Mote, Reuben Morgan.
The story of Reuben Morgan’s ‘Cornerstone’ starts back in 1834, when Edward Mote wrote ‘My hope is built on nothing less’ (or to give it Mote’s original snappy title, ‘The immutable basis for a sinner’s hope.’) Edward was baptised at 18 and was a cabinet maker when he wrote the hymn in 1837
It seems the hymn came to Reuben at exceptionally dark time for the nation of Norway. He had travelled there in 2011, arriving the day after the horrific attacks by Anders Breivick, which had claimed the lives of 77 people. It was the deadliest attack in the country since the second world war. He was reminded of the verse “When darkness seems to hide His face”. and gave it a new life and new chorus.