John 5:31-47
31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.
33 “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
41 “I do not accept glory from human beings, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
45 “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?” [1]
______________
Jesus supports His claims about himself by pointing to four types of testimony:
- The testimony of John the Baptist
- The testimony of the works that His Father gave Him to do
- The testimony of the Father himself (although He points out that his questioners can’t hear this)
- The testimony of the Scriptures
All of these provide testimony that He has been sent by the Father and that life is found in Him.
Jesus also points out that He doesn’t normally accept human testimony, although He is making an exception with John the Baptist for their sake. Why doesn’t he accept human testimony? John previously wrote that Jesus “did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person (2:25).” The sad truth is that we are fallen and sinful, and so our testimony is not as valid and weighty as that of the works of Jesus, the voice of the Father, and the Scripture themselves.
A simple self-examination reveals the truth of this. Does my life perfectly give witness to the life of Christ? Do my words flawlessly reveal the saving love and grace of my Savior?
And yet we are called to give testimony, to serve as witnesses. From the Garden of Eden through our lives today, God has made it clear that He will not engage His mission without our participation. We are saved and brought into the kingdom so that we will give testimony to what He has done through Jesus. The Great Commission is a call to bear testimony and so make disciples.
And so we rightly pray that we may give faithful and compelling testimony each day. We seek to hear the voice of the Father, and to know the truth of the Scriptures, the faultless testimony, so that in our lives and words we may more effectively give testimony that bears fruit.
Lord Jesus, I praise You for the testimony I have received on your love and grace. Be at work in me and in others so that I may give faithful and effective testimony to Your Love and Gospel today.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
To subscribe to Abide Daily Devotion e-mail please click here
[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Jn 5:31–47). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Leave a Reply