A Wall of Witnesses

I am convinced that the best argument against a person accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord comes from Christians.  Does that shock you or embarrass you?

Let me state this a little differently.  Most unbelievers don’t believe that Jesus Christ is God, nor are they willing to accept that Jesus is capable of being Lord and Savior, because Christians don’t live as if He is.

Let me suggest, today, that sometimes Christians think they have to prove that Jesus is God or that God exists.  May I suggest something which shouldn’t be all that novel or unique?  As Christians, we claim to believe that the entirety of the Bible is God’s Word and is Truth.  We believe that Jesus Christ is God.  Here’s what I want to challenge all of us, as Christians to consider:  If we live our lives as if Jesus Christ is truly God and our Lord and Savior, that might cause unbelievers to actually come to believe in Him. 

I have entitled the message, "a wall of witnesses."  When we think of a witness, we often think about a trial or an appearance in a courtroom.  A witness usually is tasked with the responsibility of truthfully answering questions to prove information.  They are supposed to give only the facts and not their conjectures or opinions.  

In the Gospel of John, over and over we see the author presenting Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ, God Himself.  Jesus has made it clear that He is God by turning water into wine; explaining that a person cannot get into heaven unless they’re born again; promising living water and explaining that He is the I am; healing someone who’d been sick for several decades (and doing so on the Sabbath since He made it).  

Today, we’re going to go through a lengthy group of witnesses.  In fact, most of your Bibles probably have these as subheadings above the verses.

Jesus Says He Is God. - 5.30-32

“I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.  If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true.  There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true.

Though the finger was pointed at Jesus by the man who was healed; though the religious leaders were accusing Him of breaking the Law by healing on the Sabbath; Jesus reminds them that everything He does is based on His Father’s will.  He is not talking about God the Father as the Father of all humanity as the Creator; He is speaking of God the Father as being One with Him.  Jesus does not act on His own, but in complete unity with what His Father wants done.  His judgment is not biased in any way, for it is completely in line with the Father.

He then identifies a reality of the Jews that felt there was a need for a witness to validate information.  Jesus didn’t have to go any further, but He chose to do so to make it painfully obvious what they were missing.  So, Jesus graciously begins to list some witnesses that back up the fact that He is God. 

John the Baptist Says He Is God. - 5.33-35

“You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.  But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.  He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.”

Everyone knew John the Baptist.  They knew that all that he said and taught was truth.  They may not have liked it; but they knew he feared nobody and would say it the way it was.  After 400 years of not hearing anything from God, to having a prophet of God once again sharing God’s Word, was a reason to rejoice.  So what exactly is Jesus referring to when He talks about John testifying to the truth?

You will recall back in John 1 that the religious leaders had sent a delegation to question John the Baptist.  He made it clear that he was not the Christ but that the Christ would be One of whom he was not worthy.  Later, when Jesus comes to be baptized, John introduces Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  John had already been recognized by the religious leaders as a true prophet of God.  Thus, when John made it clearly obvious that Jesus was the Messiah, they should have accepted that.  Yet, we read in these verses, Jesus lets it be known that it is not about building up His credentials or His reputation.  It is about getting people to be saved.  

Jesus now shows His support for the ministry of John the Baptist.  John the Baptist’s testimony and life was a lamp that shone for all to see. There appears to also be a little play on words here.  We know that Jesus is the Light.  We will look at the verbs, first of all.  Notice that this is present tense.  Here, Jesus says that John was the lamp that was burning and that he was shining.  That leads us to understand that there was a temporary situation that is no more with John.  

In addition, the word for lamp is luchnos, which refers to a small oil lamp one can carry around with them.  We might think of this like a flashlight.  John the Baptist lit the way for Jesus to be introduced to the world.  He was the forerunner.  Now let's look at the predicate nominative. The word for light which was used for Jesus is phos.  This word carries with it the idea of being the very essence of light.  Jesus, Himself, is the Light. He doesn’t reflect light; He is Light.  You and I need to be like John the Baptist, reflecting the light of the One Who is the Light.

Jesus then points out how fickle the religious leaders were.  They got all excited about John the Baptist’s testimony of the soon coming Messiah.  But when John pointed out their sinfulness and hypocrisy and their need to repent, they found that offensive.  John also baptized Jews as a result of their repentance and turning to God.  This was insulting to them because they thought all Jews were part of God’s Kingdom already.  This is not unlike what happens when people love a pastor because he preaches God’s Word; yet, when there is a call for life changes and people begin to feel uncomfortable because they are enjoying the things of this world above God, then they will reject the messenger, along with the Message.  Yet, as great as John the Baptist was and as reliable as His testimony was, there is a testimony and witness which is greater yet.

Jesus’ Works Say He Is God. - 5.36

“But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.”

This witness or testimony is not of words.  Jesus is speaking now of the works and miracles which He has done and will do.  These things cannot happen unless God is in them and doing them.  Everything which Jesus did was exactly what the Father wanted Him to do.  Everything He did proved that He was sent by the Father to do those very things.  You will recall that Nicodemus even commented about this when he came to Jesus at night:  no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.  Several commentators suggest that the Gospels record at least 3 dozen miracles.  John 20.30 even states that the world doesn’t have room to record all the amazing things which Jesus did.  This all showed everyone that He was God and sent by the Father.  He was not doing this to perform stunts or tricks.  All that He did was completely aligned with what the Father wanted Him to do.  

The religious leaders were already upset that Jesus was equating Himself with the Father.  Now He is about to tell them that the very One that they were pretending to worship and protect by attacking Jesus, they didn’t even know.

Jesus’ Father Says He Is God. - 5.37-38

“And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form.  You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.”

The most powerful witness of all would be that of the Father.  In fact, Jesus stated that the Father has testified of Me.  In other words, this witness is greater than any human witness, even John the Baptist's, or greater even than anything which they could observe Jesus doing.  However, that wouldn’t matter nor make any sense to these religious leaders.  Why not?  Jesus lists some things which prove that the One they claim to know so well and know all about, they don’t know at all.

They have not heard His voice at any time.  This seems somewhat interesting, as we know of one time already where the Father spoke audibly when Jesus was baptized.  We can assume that at least John the Baptist understood what was said, though the majority present didn’t.  Also, throughout the Old Testament, we read various times where God spoke to His people through the prophets.  Of course, we also know that often they were not listened to, either.  

They have not seen His form.  This seems somewhat obvious.  Yet, there is a twist of irony here, as they are actually seeing God in human form in the person of Jesus Christ.  But they were spiritually blind.  They also thought they were in such a close relationship with God, yet they couldn’t make this claim.

They do not have His word abiding in [them].  Though they studied constantly and could probably quote not only the Old Testament writings, but also their additional writings, they still didn’t have God’s Word as part of who they were.  If they were cut, they certainly would not have bled Bible.  Instead, the corpuscles would have been full of legalism, rules, regulations, self-righteousness, hostility to the things of God, etc.

They do not believe Him whom He sent. This seems to summarize what has been said so far.  Not only did they not accept John’s teachings and turn from their ways, they were attacking and accusing Jesus for doing exactly what the Father wants done.  They didn’t recognize that God was right there with them.  

Lest we think that this is just too ridiculous to use these things against then, Jesus goes on to show them that what they do have as a powerful witness for Him, they just don’t get.

The Bible Says He Is God. - 5.39-47

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.  I do not receive glory from men; but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves.  I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him.  How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?  Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope.  For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.  But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

The first part of this may seem a bit confusing.  However, when you recall that the religious leaders were all about rules and regulations and doing whatever they needed to get to heaven, this makes a bit more sense.  If a person studies hard enough and knows as much as is humanly possible about God and His workings, then there is a greater chance to make it to heaven.  You just avoid all the things that caused problems and punishment and focus on the things that you think are what God wants us to do.  Sounds like a pretty good formula, doesn’t it?  However, there is nothing that we can do to get to heaven.  There is no way we can understand the mysteries of God.  

MacArthur states it this way:   The Pharisees were fanatical in their preoccupation with Scripture, studying every line, every word, and even the letters in an empty effort to understand the truth.  You see, having Bible head knowledge with no application of the truth of God’s Word produces no eternal fruit.  My friends, you could have the Bible memorized, yet without Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in your life, the Bible is just another book.  

You see, throughout the Bible, the focus is always on God’s Grace.  The focus is on the Messiah, the Son of God, coming to rescue mankind from our sin and the punishment awaiting us in payment for our evil.  The Word of God, the Bible, testifies and is a witness to Christ.  

However, the reality is very much like today.  The idea of a gift being given without us having to do anything to earn it is so foreign and leaves a bad taste in our mouths.  We need to feel like we’ve earned or worked for something so that we’ve been rewarded for our actions.  This cannot be.  And if we don’t like the way things are set up, we can try to change them to make our way the correct way.  But of course, that will not work.  After all, when one works so incredibly hard at something, even though it’s wrong, who wants to change and do it the correct way?  So if you are lost and wandering aimlessly, instead of following the Light, the Pharisees and other religious leaders felt they should walk faster, farther, and more furiously to get where they wanted to go.  All that does is make you “loster.”  

In addition, Jesus lets them know that they do not have the love of God in [them].    They are in this for themselves.  They’re happy to be spiritually high-fived.  They are very willing to accept others on their level with no problem.  However, when the Son of God comes in the Name of the Father and not for Himself, they won’t have anything to do with Him.  In addition, who wants the praises and recognition publicly by people who refuse to believe in you?  That would be empty praise indeed.  

The question that Jesus poses to them is quite profound, even for us today.  How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?  If we are receiving glory, then there is no humility, but only pride.  If we are seeking after the praises of others, then we are obviously not directing people to Christ.  Our goal should always be to direct people and praises to Jesus.

Interestingly, Jesus uses the very one whom they placed their confidence, Moses, as their condemner.  He even states that He doesn’t need to condemn them.  Why?  Because Moses wrote about the Son of God.  It is all the way from Genesis 1 when He writes of the creation and Moses speaks of the plural Godhead being involved in the creation.  Also, Moses would have understood, as did all of the Old Testament saints, that the Law, which was given to Moses, was not meant to save anyone.  Keeping the Law, even if it were possible, could not save anybody.  Paul referred to this in the book of Galatians when he talks about the Law being a tutor to point us to Christ. 

As a result of not believing in what Moses had to say, it is obvious they won’t believe what Jesus has to say. In essence, Jesus is saying that by all their hard work, they didn’t believe in Moses’ writings.  They simply were headstrong and focused on doing things their way instead of God’s way.

Listen to what Jesus says in the story from Luke:  “I beg you, father, that you send [Lazarus] to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.” But Abraham said, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.” But he said, “No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!” But he said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.” (Luke 16:27–31)

Reflections

A question came to my mind as I was preparing this message that has me somewhat troubled, while at the same time encouraged.  The question is this:  Would an unbeliever be inclined to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by my actions and lifestyle?  I would hope and pray that they would.  However, like most people, there are days or moments when what I do contradicts what I say I believe.  Still, there are many times when, being in that right relationship with God and walking in obedience to Him, that you and I know that others are seeing us as genuine witnesses to the reality that Jesus Christ is God and that He is indeed our Lord and Savior.

If Jesus were walking on this earth today, would your name or my name be listed as one of the witnesses that testify of Him?  Would we be like John the Baptist; willing to identify and point out Jesus no matter if the other person were lower class or upper class, rich or poor, friendly or hostile?  John the Baptist lived his life in such a way that there were no questions about his genuineness.  

Would the things that we do, our works, if you will, show that we truly believe that Jesus Christ is God and that He is indeed our Lord and Savior?  Would that our behavior, our speech, our actions make it clear and not confusing about Who Jesus Christ really is.

Would our knowledge and application of the Bible be a witness and testimony to others that we truly believe that Jesus Christ is God and our Lord and Savior?  Don’t add to it or take away from it in order to make it more comfortable for you or the world around you.  

Most unbelievers don’t believe in Jesus Christ being God, much less capable of being Lord and Savior, because Christians don’t live as if He is.  If we live our lives as if Jesus Christ is truly God and our Lord and Savior, that might cause unbelievers to actually come to believe in Him.