Scripture: John 5:45 (ESV) – “Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.”
Jesus delivers a stunning rebuke to the religious leaders. They were accusing Him of blasphemy, rejecting His teaching, and clinging tightly to their identity as followers of Moses. But He flips the courtroom on its head: “I won’t be the one to accuse you—Moses will.”
These were men who had placed their hope in the Law, priding themselves on their heritage, their knowledge, and their obedience to the commands of Moses. But Jesus says that their very source of confidence will become their condemnation, because Moses wrote about Him—and they refused to believe it.
William Gouge notes that this is one of the greatest tragedies of self-righteous religion: when men trust in the outward form of godliness but reject the substance. “To rest in Moses while denying Christ,” Gouge writes, “is to shelter under the law while standing condemned by it.” Moses pointed forward to the greater Prophet, the true Deliverer—Jesus Christ. Rejecting Christ is not loyalty to Moses; it is betrayal of him.
This verse warns us against a false sense of spiritual security. Religious familiarity is not the same as saving faith. We may claim to love Scripture, but if we do not receive the One to whom it points, our very knowledge will rise to accuse us.
Reflection Questions:
- Why is it significant that Moses—their spiritual hero—is the one who will accuse them?
- How can even good things, like religious tradition or biblical knowledge, become spiritually dangerous when detached from faith in Christ?
- Are there ways in which you’re tempted to rely more on your religious background than on Christ Himself?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we confess how easily we place our hope in things that were meant only to lead us to You. Keep us from trusting in our knowledge, our background, or our religious habits. Let our hope be in You alone—the One Moses and all the prophets spoke of. Amen.
This devotional is based on John 5:45, with theological insight drawn from William Gouge and the pastoral exposition of Pastor Chris Cousine.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 