Read John 8:12-20. Circle the words that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
19 Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”
“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
Digging Deeper
Witnesses. Testimonies. In a court hearing, collaboration is mandatory if a statement or charge is made. If a person makes a statement without any collaboration, that’s an opinion or personal view. It is likely to be rejected unless there is enough circumstantial evidences to confirm it.
When we share our testimony of salvation with someone or share an answered prayer, the listeners may rejoice with us or may express doubt about our experience. We may hear, “I don’t believe you. That’s your experience, not mine!” In other words, a person wants collaboration of our experience that it is real because their experience has been much different. Who can testify that God answered our experience is real or that our prayers were answered by God? Maybe it was just a coincidence or that one imagined it!
Jesus said this, “In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.” When you and I give our testimony, Jesus is implying to us that there is a witness of salvation or to our answered prayer. Who is that collaborating person? God Himself.
The Holy Spirit will testify whether our testimony is true or false before the Judgment Seat of Christ. He will testify against that person who rejects your testimony of His working in our lives. It may be that the person believes that it is true but doesn’t want to accept it as being true. Although on earth, there may be individuals who question or doubt the truthfulness of our salvation testimony or our answered prayer by God. The Holy Spirit will bear witness to the truthfulness of our words before God. You will be vindicated.
The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Where is your father?” Our answer is that God Himself bears testimony that what we am saying is true and honest. It’s quite humbling to think that God witnesses all that we say and do.
Let us ask ourselves, “What kind of a witness am I for God on earth?” Let us live such good lives that other people may glorify God by seeing our godly deeds and words. If individuals question or reject our testimony, may it not be because of our hypocrisy. Let’s give them reasons to believe our testimony, not to reject our testimony of the grace of God in our lives.
-Kingston