John 5:46

Historical Context:In this passage, Jesus is speaking to the Jews who were questioning His authority and seeking to discredit Him. He refers to Moses, a highly respected figure in Jewish history, who delivered the Law to the Israelites and established the foundation of their faith.

• Importance of Belief:

Jesus emphasizes the importance of belief, stating that if the Jews truly believed Moses, they would also believe in Him. This implies that Jesus’ teachings align with the writings of Moses, and by rejecting Jesus, they are disregarding the very scriptures they hold dear.

Moses’ Writings:Jesus asserts that Moses wrote about Him. This reference encompasses the entire Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament), which includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Throughout these books, Moses recorded prophecies, symbols, and events that foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ.

Messianic Prophecies:The books written by Moses contain numerous prophecies pointing to the future Messiah. For instance, in Genesis 3:15, Moses writes about the offspring of the woman who will bruise the head of the serpent, referring to Jesus’ victory over sin and Satan. Additionally, the book of Deuteronomy contains promises of a prophet like Moses who would come to lead and guide the people (Deuteronomy 18:15).

Types and Shadows:Besides direct prophecies, Moses’ writings also include types and shadows that prefigure Jesus. For example, the Passover lamb in Exodus symbolizes Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. The bronze serpent lifted up by Moses in Numbers 21 is a foreshadowing of Jesus being lifted up on the cross for the salvation of humanity (John 3:14-15).

Jesus Fulfills the Law:Jesus affirms that He is the fulfillment of the Law and the prophecies recorded by Moses. He is the long-awaited Messiah who embodies the promises and teachings found in the Jewish scriptures. By rejecting Jesus, the Jews are missing out on the fulfillment of their own faith.

Application:

• This verse serves as a reminder to believers today that the entire Bible, including the Old Testament, points to Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus admonished the Jews for not recognizing Him in the writings of Moses, we should study the Scriptures with the understanding that they ultimately testify to Jesus as the Savior and Messiah. It is through faith in Him that we find eternal life and fulfillment of God’s promises.

In conclusion, John 5:46 highlights the connection between Moses’ writings and Jesus Christ. By believing in Moses, the Jews should have recognized Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. This verse emphasizes the importance of belief and understanding how the entire Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, reveals God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.