John 5:30-36 – “I can do nothing on My own. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of Him who sent Me. 31 “If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. 33 You have sent messengers to John, and he has testified to the truth. 34 But the testimony I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was the lamp that was burning and shining, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.
“I can do nothing on My own. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of Him who sent Me.” People have asked me to talk to a non-believer but said that I will not be able to quote the Bible because that person rejects the Bible. My response is that I will quote the Bible. And I have found, that they will listen even when the Bible is quoted and if understanding is shared. The unbelievers will quote their source and I will quote my source. They may say neither side may quote a book or philosophy, but even in expressing their own thoughts they make themselves authorities from which they quote. They trust themselves and also trust others who reject God. I trust the Bible, the Word of God. Isaiah 55:11 “So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.” Should I trust my thoughts, or the thoughts of other people, more than I trust God’s Word? As stated, His Word never fails. There is plenty of evidence that my words can be ever so ineffective. And Scripture declares the folly of the unbeliever as Scripture states “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the understanding of those who have understanding, I will confound. Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world? (1 Corinthians 1:19-20) Use the Word of God even to those who declare they will not listen to it. Remember that Chapter and Verse are not what is holy, His Word is holy and effective. Jesus spoke to the world what the Father gave Him to tell. Our triune God has given us the Word to give to people, for their, and our, blessing.
“If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true.” A person without witnesses can make boastful and untrue statements about themselves and what that person says cannot be proved or disproved. With trustworthy witnesses a testimony can be verified. The works/signs that Jesus did are a testimony of who Jesus was. Though the testimony of the Father and Spirit are the absolute testimony of Jesus. (Matthew 9:2-8)
“There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true.” The “another” is God the Father. Matthew 3:16-17 “After He was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and settling on Him, 17 and behold, a voice from the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” God declared Jesus His Son, making Jesus equal with Him. For someone not to believe in Jesus is not to believe the Father and that person brings judgement upon them self. Also the Old Testament scriptures testified of Him. (Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2, Psalm 40:6-8, Psalm 78:1-2)
“You have sent messengers to John, and he has testified to the truth.” John the Baptist testified of Him and even pointed Him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. (John 1:29) The common people in Israel believed that John the Baptist was a prophet from God.
“But the testimony I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was the lamp that was burning and shining, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.” Jesus stepped down from His throne to come to earth and save us. He did not do it for His own sake but for ours. (Philippians 2:4-8, Romans 5:8) To help prepare the world for the coming of Jesus, John the Baptist was sent to give notice that the Messiah was coming. John zealously announced the coming of Jesus and gave witness that Jesus was the Messiah. He was a valid witness, but Jesus had a better witness.
“But the testimony I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.” Jesus tells them that He has a greater testimony than the testimony of John the Baptist. Some may accuse Jesus of pride here, but that is not so. I remember a very old television program with actor Walter Brennan called “The Guns of Will Sonnet.” He played the part of a man, with his grandson, looking for his son who was running from the law. The son was thought by many to be the fastest gun around. When Walter Brennan and his grandson were confronted by “bad guys” he would say one of his famous lines stating that his son was good with a gun, but his grandson was better, and Walter Brennan was the best. Then he would say “No brag, just fact.” I always remembered that. If God has blessed us with a gift, we shouldn’t deny it, but can honestly state that it is true. If a man is tall, and someone mentions it, he needn’t say “No, I’m not tall” when obviously he is. That’s not being humble, that’s just plain dishonest.
Us telling people that we know God and are loved by Him is “no brag, just fact.” God loves us, He has saved us and He blesses us as His own beloved. We are humbled by His love and blessings to us. Telling others of the love and blessings of Jesus to us is a witness to Him. Jesus brings us to the Father and we bring others to Jesus. We are also His witnesses. So even though the Father and Holy Spirit are all the witnesses that Jesus needs, He also calls us to be His witnesses. What an honor to be a witness for Christ. Let us all be faithful ones. Praise the Lord!
The Guns of Will Sonnet – https://youtu.be/K7JeaZ3HHG8
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.