Jesus - The True Witness
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | May 4, 2024 | John 8:13-16
KEY VERSE:
¹³ So the Pharisees said to him, "You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true." ¹⁴ Jesus answered, "Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going,. . . John 8:13-14 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
In John 8:13-16, Jesus presents Himself as the true witness, contrasting His testimony with the flawed judgments of the Pharisees. This passage reveals profound truths about Jesus' identity, mission, and relationship with the Father. Jesus asserts His knowledge of His origin and destiny, contrasting it with the Pharisees' ignorance. Despite the Pharisees' scepticism, Jesus affirms the truth of His testimony. He is not merely a human witness but the divine Son of God, whose testimony is always true.
Jesus distinguishes His judgment from human judgment, emphasising that His judgment is aligned with the Father's will. This demonstrates His authority and divine wisdom. Jesus' affirmation of His testimony's truthfulness establishes Him as the trustworthy witness. His words are reliable and carry divine authority. Jesus' alignment with the Father's will in judgment demonstrates His submission and obedience. He is not acting independently but in perfect harmony with the Father.
We are called to trust in Jesus' testimony about Himself and His mission. His words are true and reliable, offering us guidance and assurance. Like Jesus, we are called to align our judgments with God's will. We should seek divine wisdom and discernment in our decisions, avoiding worldly judgments.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Jesus, as the true witness, reveals Himself as the divine Son of God, whose testimony is trustworthy and true. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be witnesses of His truth. His words challenge us to align our lives with God's will and bear witness to His truth in the world. Our lives should reflect His light, pointing others to the true witness, Jesus Christ.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I believe that Jesus is your standard of truth and righteousness. Thank you for revealing Jesus as the true witness, whose testimony is trustworthy and true. Help me to trust in His words and align my life with Your will. May I reflect His light in all I do, bearing witness to His truth in the world. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: BEARING WITNESS
In John 8:13-14, the phrase "bearing witness" is translated from the Greek words "μαρτυρίαν μαρτυρεῖς." The term "μαρτυρίαν" (marturian) refers to testimony or witness, while "μαρτυρεῖς" (martureis) means to bear witness or testify.
Jesus uses this phrase to challenge the Pharisees' scepticism about His authority. He emphasizes the necessity of corroborating testimony to validate His claims, in accordance with Jewish legal standards. By invoking the requirement for multiple witnesses, Jesus underscores the credibility and truthfulness of His message.
Moreover, Jesus asserts that His Father testifies alongside Him, affirming the divine origin and authenticity of His words. This demonstrates the unified testimony of God and Jesus, reinforcing the reliability of His teachings.
Reflections:
Do we rely on external validation or human opinion, or do we anchor our testimony in our relationship with Jesus and our understanding of his divine identity and mission?
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