John 5 - Every Man's Bible

5:39-40  The Jewish leaders knew the Scriptures backwards and forwards, yet they were spiritually dead. That’s because they missed the whole purpose of the Scriptures: to bring people into a vital relationship with the God of grace. Intellectual knowledge about the Bible does not bring us into a transforming relationship with God unless we act on that knowledge. Knowing about God’s truth without applying it personally will do nothing for us. Real spiritual growth comes by knowing God through the person of Jesus Christ.

5:41-44  Jesus took the Jewish leaders to task for being more concerned about what others thought of them than about what God thought. At times it may be necessary to do things that are neither understood nor approved by those around us. The bottom line for us is whether or not God approves of what we are doing, not what others think. As we reflect honestly on our lives, God and his Word—not the opinions of our peers—are the guidelines for our behavior.