5:31 thru 5:47 (Feb 27) (cont.)

(v37,38) There seems to be a cause and effect thing going on here. Jesus makes the statement (v37) "...They have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form." To me this is a bold statement of fact....that though they may think they have heard His voice, Jesus declares that is not the case. (v38) points to a why this is true, because "they do not have His word abiding(dwelling) in you". Ok good so now I have this under control right???(study the Word, spend time in the Word) the very next verse (v39) declares a warning that studying Scriptures is not the Way of salvation. These Jews spend time studying the "map" instead of what the map points to, its final destination, the final Word, Jesus.

For me, Jesus makes a strong point about the life of the Jews (and sadly at times in my life) v44 where Jesus asks them "How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not SEEK the glory that is from the one and only God" . To me this reads as Jesus with a perplexed look asking "how is it EVER possible to believe in me when you keep putting other people before me. Seeking their opinion, their approval, their praise". As Rob pointed out earlier this is again Jesus speaking the hard truth directly to people.