(Speaking to the Jewish leaders)
“If I were to testify on My own behalf, my testimony would not be valid. But someone else is also testifying about Me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true. In fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about Me is true. Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved. John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. But I have a greater witness than John- My teachings and My miracles. Then Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that He sent Me. And the Father who sent Me has testified about Me himself. You have never heard His voice or seen Him face-to-face, and you do not have His message in your hearts, because you do not believe Me-the One He sent to you.”
“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to Me! Yet you refuse to come to Me to receive this life.”
“Your approval means nothing to Me, because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. For I have come to you in My Father’s name, and You have rejected Me. Yet if others com in their own name, you gladly welcome them. No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the One who along is God.”
Yet is isn’t I who will accuse you before the Father. Moses will accuse you! Yes, Moses, in whom you put your hopes. If you really believed in Moses, you would believe in Me, because he wrote about Me. Put since you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?” (vv. 31-47, NLT)