Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Opening Scripture

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3

Opening Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father, you are holy and exalted! May your kingdom come and your will be done in my life, home, and community, just as it is in Heaven. Help me to trust you today to meet all of my needs. Help me to forgive others just as you have forgiven me. Help me to resist temptation and overcome the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

John 5:31-47

“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true. You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.”

“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”

“I do not accept glory from human beings, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?”

“But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”

Reflection  

Today’s passage consists entirely of Jesus’ teaching and rebuke of the Jewish religious leaders. As previously noted, these “spiritual guides” were spiritually blind to what God was doing. Their focus on rule-keeping prevented them from experiencing the joy and wonder of what God was accomplishing right in front of them.

The focus in yesterday’s reading was Jesus’ unity and oneness with the Father. Today’s reading focuses on the Father’s testimony regarding Jesus’ identity. “Testimony” is important to John, and he uses it as a noun or verb 47 times in his gospel.

In ancient Jewish society, the testimony of two witnesses was required for a matter to be considered valid, since one witness alone was insufficient to establish proof. More specifically, the witnesses had to be adult, free men without mental or physical limitations.

Jesus uses the system of justice these leaders were familiar with to validate His claims. First, He knows they will disregard anything Jesus says about Himself. Though He is telling the truth, they will reject His testimony out of hand.

First, Jesus reminds them that they had sent representatives to inquire of John the Baptist, and he faithfully testified to who Jesus was. Jesus’ miracles testify to His claims of divinity, for only God could be the source of these signs and wonders.

Next, Jesus calls the Scriptures to the stand. The Jewish religious leaders studied the Old Testament diligently. They took great pride in their knowledge of the history of God’s people. Applying that knowledge to the present situation was sadly beyond them. They completely missed Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy.

In that context, Jesus calls on Moses to testify on His behalf. Jesus rightly assumes that true students of the Old Testament would recognize how He is accomplishing all that was foretold about the promised Messiah.

Jesus summarizes this argument in the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Abraham tells the tormented man, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them. If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:19-31).

If these religious leaders thought Jesus was seeking an endorsement from them, they were greatly mistaken. Jesus knew their hearts and their motivations. They were only interested in perpetuating their place and power in a flawed system that had the appearance of “righteousness,” but was “full of dead men’s bones.”

Flourishing Habit

Meaning and Purpose

As Psalm 1 people, part of our blessing is delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating on it day and night. This Flourishing Together daily Bible reading is intended to help us do just that.

We realize that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Unlike the Jewish religious leaders, we recognize that Bible study is never an end unto itself. We don’t become “righteous” through the exercise of reading. We study the Scriptures in order to know God better!

And that sacred information must translate into real life application. The knowledge of God should continually transform us from the inside out. “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!” (James 1:22).

May it never be said of us, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” (Matthew 22:29).

How is God using the study of His Word in your life?

Are you being transformed by the renewing of your mind?

Ask God to help you delight in Him with a growing desire to know and do His will.

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!