NOTES for Ин 5:42-44
Christ's words that those who do not receive Him, who came in the name of the Father, the true God, will receive another, are often interpreted to mean that all religions except Christian ones are from the devil. Since, they say, they do not receive Christ, it means they have received "another," and this "other" can only be Christ's opponent. Meanwhile, Jesus Himself is not speaking at all about formal recognition or non-recognition of Himself. Leading people after Himself is not an end in itself for Him. The goal is to lead them farther, to the Father. But one can come there only through Him, with His help, by sharing in the fullness of His life.
It does not matter to Him what people think of Him; He only wants all to be saved. But declarations alone are not enough for this. Spiritual work is needed. He is not creating a new religion for which He seeks adherents. His task is to make it possible for the one who has begun his path into the Kingdom here to complete it by reaching the end. And to come into the Kingdom, receiving salvation there. The question of faithfulness to Christ is not religious and not doctrinal. It is a question of faithfulness to God and His Kingdom.
Inner faithfulness above all. "You do not believe Me because the word of God is not in you." Here, of course, the issue is not knowledge of sacred texts. "You have neither heard My Father's voice nor seen Him." Here is the answer to all the questions. The issue is not where and when a person was born, to what cultural and religious tradition he belongs, or what sacred texts he has read. The issue is only whether at least once in his life he has had to meet the living God.
Not the descriptions of God that can be found in abundance in religious literature and sacred books, but God Himself. If he has, Christ was present at that meeting, regardless of whether the person experiencing the meeting knew of His presence. And if the meeting changed the life of the one who experienced it, if after it the person seriously thought about spiritual life and the spiritual path, Christ will not leave such a person. But if a person does not need spiritual life, if for him it is reduced to religious life, he will not see the Messiah.
Even if he is an observant Jew. Or a fully Orthodox Orthodox Christian, Catholic, or Protestant. Correct ideas about God and Christ still do not guarantee real communion with God and Christ. And knowledge of correct texts, for example the Pentateuch of Moses, will then only lead to the author of these texts becoming a witness for the prosecution on the day of Judgment. For more will be asked of the one who knew more.