If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid.
A person can claim to be the smartest person in the world, and it may be true. But it isn’t true just because she/he says so.
In fact, if one is the most intelligent in the world there will be facts to substantiate the claim. Without such verification, it isn’t logical to naively accept whatever a person says.
Here Jesus isn’t saying His testimony about Himself is not true. He is saying the legitimacy of His claims and teachings can not and do not rest on his personal testimony alone.
He doesn’t expect anyone to believe in Him just because He said so. He introduces corroborating evidence for His claims - confirmation in addition to His own testimony –Exhibits A,B,C,& D!
Exhibit A - You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth.
Exhibit B - I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me.
Exhibit C - And the Father who sent me has Himself testified concerning me.
Exhibit D - You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me…
Faith is not based on Jesus’ testimony alone. John the Baptizer, the work of teaching and miracles, the Father, and the prophecy of Scripture all testify to the truthfulness of who He claims to be.
And there’s actually an indictment for those who refuse to follow Jesus - yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
The question is not the validity of Jesus. Rather upon what basis can one legitimately refuse Him in the face of the evidence?
In college the first short devotional I preached, someone responded - which was cool - but now I had no clue what to do or say. The preacher encouraged me to go talk with the young man. He said he wasn't quite sure why he came forward, he knew God and Jesus, was a Christian, yet felt "empty."
ReplyDeleteI thought I pretty much knew how he felt. I said something like: "Let me guess, you grew up in the church, attending faithfully, going to class and worship and knowing what is expected, and you have all the knoweldge of God and Jesus in your head, but not here" As I pointed to my heart. In tears, he replied - exactly.
Jesus hinted at the same problems with those he talked to:
"You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."
Knowledge of scriptures are so important, but it isn't enough. We don't often use the term "Personal relationship" but I think Jesus mght have been hinting at that.
Do we know the scriptures yet not really know Christ? Not really trusting Him, leaning on Him, taking Him our brdens and relying on His promises? Are we spending time with Him - getting to know Him personally? Scriptural knowledge is important - but there is something more - that leads to life.