"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." (John 5:39)

This challenge was posed by the Lord Jesus to the Jewish leaders when they objected to His healing a hopelessly crippled man on the Sabbath day. Rather than attempting to justify this Sabbath miracle, however, Jesus realized that their real objection was far more serious, so He proceeded to preach a long message to them (29 verses), assuring them that, not only was He doing the will of the heavenly Father, but that they had no right to judge Him. Instead, He would some day be their judge, for the Father "hath committed all judgment unto the Son" (John 5:22).

Furthermore, this ability included the right to impart resurrection and everlasting life to all who would believe on Him as Son of God. "For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself" (John 5:26).

The Jews, both Pharisees and Sadducees, had placed supreme emphasis on the five books of Moses as their chief source of guidance toward salvation and eternal life. These were their holy Scriptures, absolute in authority. But, as Paul much later told young Timothy: "Thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15).

To those who have spiritual eyes to see and hearts to believe, the Old Testament Scriptures can speak clearly about the coming Messiah and Savior, both to the Jews of Jesus' day and to open-hearted people of our day. He is both Creator and redeeming Savior, as well as Judge and coming King. To those who honestly search the Old Testament Scriptures, even the books of Moses, there is abundant evidence there of Christ. HMM