How does John 5:46 affirm the connection between Moses' writings and Jesus' mission? Scripture Focus “ If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.” (John 5:46) Setting the Scene • Jesus addresses religious leaders who prided themselves on knowing Moses’ Law. • He points out a critical inconsistency: they exalt Moses yet reject the very One Moses anticipated. • By grounding His claim in Moses’ writings, Jesus validates both the Torah’s reliability and His own divine mission. Key Observations • “If you had believed Moses…” – True belief in Moses includes more than honoring his moral code; it means trusting his prophetic testimony. • “…you would believe Me” – Faith in Moses logically leads to faith in Jesus; disbelief in Christ exposes a superficial attachment to the Law. • “for he wrote about Me” – Moses did not merely hint at a future figure; he consciously testified of the Messiah’s person and work. Where Moses Wrote About Jesus 1. Genesis 3:15 – The promised Seed who would crush the serpent’s head. 2. Genesis 22 – Isaac’s near-sacrifice prefiguring the Father offering His Son. 3. Exodus 12 – The Passover lamb whose blood shields from judgment (1 Corinthians 5:7). 4. Exodus 17 – Water from the struck rock, later identified with Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). 5. Numbers 21:8-9 – The bronze serpent lifted up, applied by Jesus to His cross (John 3:14-15). 6. Deuteronomy 18:15-19 – “A Prophet like me” to whom Israel must listen, fulfilled in Jesus (Acts 3:22-23). 7. Tabernacle patterns, offerings, priesthood, and feasts—all shadows of the Messiah’s person and redemption (Hebrews 8:5; 10:1). How This Affirms Jesus’ Mission • Fulfillment, not replacement – Jesus embodies and completes what Moses foreshadowed (Matthew 5:17). • Divine continuity – The same God who spoke through Moses now speaks through the Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). • Covenant culmination – Mosaic sacrifices pointed to the once-for-all atonement Jesus achieved (Hebrews 10:10-14). • Prophetic identity – By declaring that Moses “wrote about Me,” Jesus claims the role of the long-awaited Prophet, Priest, and King. Supporting New Testament Witness • John 1:45 – “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law…” • Luke 24:27, 44 – Jesus, after the resurrection, shows “all the Scriptures” concerning Himself, beginning with Moses. • Acts 28:23 – Paul uses “the Law of Moses and the Prophets” to testify about Jesus. • Hebrews 3:1-6 – Christ is counted worthy of more glory than Moses, as the Son over God’s house. Implications for Believers Today • Confidence – The unity of Scripture assures that God’s plan has always centered on Christ. • Consistency – Studying Moses deepens understanding of the gospel; studying Jesus unlocks Moses’ true intent. • Commitment – Genuine reverence for the Law drives us to embrace the Savior it announces. • Clarity – Evangelism can begin with the Pentateuch, showing seekers how Jesus fulfills ancient promises. |
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