Jesus is Superior, Pt. 3: Because He is a Faithful Witness

Rev. Enoch Thompson | February 29, 2024 | John 3:32-33

KEY VERSE:

³² He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. ³³ The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. John 3:32-33 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

The third reason John offers why Christ must have superiority over him and any others is that the Lord Jesus bears witness to the spiritual truth that is based on what He had lived, what He had seen and heard in His heavenly pre-existence before coming to the earth in human form. In any court of law, the testimony of a direct witness is more acceptable than that of a reported or second-hand witness.

Earlier in John 3:11 the Lord Jesus invoked the collaborative testimony of the Trinity when He said, “I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still, you people do not accept our testimony.” (NIV).

John identifies himself in verse 33 as a man who has accepted the testimony of the Lord Jesus and would therefore not be drawn into a controversy about its reliability. We must uphold the testimony of Christ in the courtroom of faith because He is a direct, collaborative, and faithful witness, and His testimony is true!

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Cast your lot with the Lord Jesus Christ in what He teaches about spiritual truth, about the nature of God, and on the demands of righteousness. His testimony is true, rely on it!

PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus, I believe in you, please help me to believe more and more. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

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DAILY word study: TESTIMONY In John 3:32 (NIV), the word "testimony" is translated from the Greek word "μαρτυρία" (marturia), which refers to a witness or testimony given under oath. It can also denote evidence or confirmation of truth.

The Greek word "μαρτυρία" (marturia) is used throughout the New Testament to emphasize the importance of bearing witness to the truth of Jesus Christ. For example, in John 5:31-32, Jesus says, "If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies in my favour, and I know that his testimony about me is true." Here, Jesus acknowledges the validity of the testimony given by others about Him.

Similarly, in Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This verse highlights the role of believers as witnesses to the truth of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

In this context of John 3:32, Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate witness who speaks with authority about heavenly realities because He has firsthand knowledge of them. He testifies to what He has seen and heard from the Father, providing reliable insight into divine truths and mysteries.

Despite Jesus' authoritative testimony, the verse notes that "no one accepts his testimony." This highlights the resistance and disbelief that Jesus encountered among those who heard His message, reflecting the spiritual blindness and hardness of the heart that prevented people from recognizing the truth of His words.

Reflections:

How do we respond to Jesus' testimony about heavenly things in our lives today? Do we accept His words as authoritative and true, or do we struggle with doubts and disbelief?