What Jesus Did : John 5:33-34 - A Greater Testimony
by Phil Ware
A Greater Testimony - John 5:33-34
"You have sent men to John. And he has told you about the truth. I don't need a man to tell people about me. But I tell you these things so that you can be saved." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
John told the truth. John died telling the truth. John gave his life to prepare the way for the truth. We could search through all of history and not find a more credible and authentic witness to integrity and truth than John the Baptist. John helped thousands find their way to salvation in Jesus. However, as great a witness as John was, Jesus had a greater witness. God himself chose to offer "testimony" about Jesus. He validated Jesus through the miracles he performed and the resurrection that showed him to be God's powerful Son. How has God helped validate the truth about Jesus to you? How has this "Greater Witness" helped you to see Jesus as your Lord?
Today's Prayer
Father, thank you for your word spoken through the prophets and shared with your people through the Scriptures across the centuries. Thank you for confirming Jesus' identity through his miracles and his resurrection. Thank you for showing your resurrection power in Jesus through the Church. Help me find ways to help my lost friends find your testimony to Jesus and come to him and be saved. I pray in your Son's name, Jesus my Lord. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
"If I tell people about myself, then people cannot accept those things I say about myself. But there is another person that tells people about me. And I know that the things he says about me are true. "You have sent men to John. And he has told you about the truth. I don't need a man to tell people about me. But I tell you these things so that you can be saved. John was like a lamp that burned and gave light. And you were happy to enjoy his light for a while. "But I have a proof about myself that is greater than John. The things I do are my proof. These are the things my Father gave me to do. These things show that the Father sent me. And the Father that sent me has given proof about me himself. But you have never heard his voice. You have never seen what he looks like. The Father's teaching does not live in you. Why? Because you don't believe in the One the Father sent. You carefully study the Scriptures. You think that those Scriptures give you life forever. Those same Scriptures tell about me! But you refuse to come to me to have that life {you want}. "I don't want praise from you or any other human. But I know you—I know that you don't have God's love in you. I have come from my Father—I speak for him. But you don't accept me. But when another person comes speaking only for himself, you will accept him. You like to have praise from each other. But you never try to get the praise that comes from the only God. So how can you believe? Don't think that I will stand before the Father and say that you are wrong. Moses is the person that says that you are wrong. And Moses is the one that you hoped would save you. If you really believed Moses, you would believe me. Why? Because Moses wrote about me. But you don't believe what Moses wrote. So you cannot believe the things I say."-- John 5:31-47 (ERV)
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