What Greater Witness? : John 8:17-18 : What Jesus Did! : HEARTLIGHT®

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What Greater Witness? - John 8:17-18

"Your own law says that when two witnesses say the same thing, then you must accept what they say. I am one of the witnesses that speaks about myself. And the Father who sent me is my other witness." (ERV) Full Text

Key Thought

What witnesses could Jesus call to prove he came from God? He needed two under Jewish law. He had more than two, but the first two are the most important. Jesus himself was a witness and so was his Father. Elsewhere in the Gospel of John, Jesus will list John the Baptist, his own mighty works, and even those who saw his miracles as his witnesses. However, only two really know that Jesus came from God -- the Son and the Father. Once again, Jesus is pushing people to make a hard and definitive choice: is he a blasphemer who is saying the unthinkable or is he really from God? Jesus leaves us no middle ground. So what is your decision?

Today's Prayer

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Father in heaven, I confess that I often find it hard to make difficult and potentially life-altering decisions. I don't like them. I fear making the wrong decision. But, dear Father, I really do want to honor you with all my heart and to live as a person of integrity. So I decide this day to once again believe that Jesus is your Son and that he came as your presence in our world and showed us you in all your fullness. I trust him as my Savior and follow him as my Lord. I give you all thanks and praise in Jesus' name. Amen.

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Today's Verses in Context

Later, Jesus talked to the people again. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. The person that follows me will never live in darkness. That person will have the light that gives life." But the Pharisees said to Jesus, "When you talk about yourself, you are the only one to say that these things are true. So we cannot accept these things you say." Jesus answered, "Yes, I am saying these things about myself. But people can believe these things I say. Why? Because I know where I came from. And I know where I am going. But you don't know where I came from or where I am going. You judge me the way people judge other people. I don't judge any person. But if I judge, my judging is true. Why? Because when I judge I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. Your own law says that when two witnesses say the same thing, then you must accept what they say. I am one of the witnesses that speaks about myself. And the Father who sent me is my other witness." The people asked, "Where is your father?" Jesus answered, "You don't know me or my Father. But if you knew me, then you would know my Father too." Jesus said these things while he was teaching in the temple area. He was near the place where all the people came to give money. But no person arrested him. The right time for Jesus had not yet come.

— John 8:12-20 (ERV)

Comments on "What Greater Witness?":

There was a man named John. He was sent by God. John came to tell people about the Light (Christ). Through John all people could {hear about the Light and} believe. John was not the Light. But John came to tell people about the Light. The true Light was coming into the world. This is the true Light that gives light to all people.
John 1:6-9 (ERV)

"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.
John 5:31-38 (ERV)

"I pray for these men. But I am also praying for all people that will believe in me because of the teaching of these men. Father, I pray that all people that believe in me can be one. You are in me and I am in you. I pray that these people can also be one in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me.
John 17:20-21 (ERV)

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