Eyewitness Testimony

Welcome

Has anyone ever described something as “You just have to be there.”? There is an incredible importance placed on being an eyewitness to certain events. As we come up on the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing, i’ve seen ads for several different specials that have interviews, videos, and recordings of different people included in the space program at that time. There is an interest in seeing the perspective of different eyewitnesses and what they saw, felt, and experienced. We can understand what happened in July of 1969 and not have been there but there is an aspect of us desiring the testimony of those who were actually there. Would you rather listen to me talk about the lunar landing or Neil Armstrong?

This morning I would like to talk about an eyewitness testimony of a disciple of Jesus Christ. John, who refers to himself in the gospel he wrote as the Disciple whom Jesus loved wrote several letters to the church and in the first one we have record of, 1 John, he says a few things about Jesus to start off.

1 John 1:1–3 NASB95

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

From the first couple of verses, John is going to establish some important concepts of who Jesus was. Each one is very significant, and we could take a long time to discuss but this morning, I would like to look at them in the way that John likely intended it, as a reminder of some of the most amazing things about Jesus.

i. First, we see that John wants to remind us that Christ was there in the beginning. I believe that John almost certainly wrote the letters of 1, 2, 3 John after he wrote his gospel. Let’s look back at his gospel and see how it starts.

First, we see that John wants to remind us that Christ was there in the beginning. I believe that John almost certainly wrote the letters of 1, 2, 3 John after he wrote his gospel. Let’s look back at his gospel and see how it starts.

b.

John 1:1–5 NASB95

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John makes the assertion that Jesus was in the beginning, both with God and as God. It is also a clear reference to the way in which the entire Bible starts off with . Now, a discussion of the trinity is again, something that would take more time than we have today but the reason that John might be talking about this is in response (especially clear later in 1 John) to those who would say that Jesus wasn’t actually God.

i. John makes the assertion that Jesus was in the beginning, both with God and as God. It is also a clear reference to the way in which the entire Bible starts off with . Now, a discussion of the trinity is again, something that would take more time than we have today but the reason that John might be talking about this is in response (especially clear later in 1 John) to those who would say that Jesus wasn’t actually God.

At this time, there were those who believed that all flesh was inherently sinful and that since there is no sin in God, he couldn’t possibly have taken on flesh. John, of course, lived with Jesus every day. he slept right beside him, traveled with him, ate with him and talked with him daily. He knows that Jesus was a man as well as God.

1. At this time, there were those who believed that all flesh was inherently sinful and that since there is no sin in God, he couldn’t possibly have taken on flesh.

ii. Well, John wants to make it clear that Jesus was fully God as much as he was fully man.

John wants to make this fact clear.

The Hebrews author would put it like this.

1.

Hebrews 4:15 NASB95

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

c. When John says that Jesus was from the beginning, he is saying that Jesus is divine. If Jesus is divine, then what he said and did really mattered. He was there in the beginning of time and the creation of the world. That gives him authority to say what is moral and what isn’t. what is right and wrong and tell us how we should live our lives.

It’s not simply something that we can give simple statement of agreement to. When John says that Jesus was from the beginning, he is saying that Jesus is divine. If Jesus is divine, then what he said and did really mattered. He was there in the beginning of time and the creation of the world. That gives him authority to say what is moral and what isn’t. what is right and wrong and tell us how we should live our lives.

Many people today would disagree with that statement. And after all, if Jesus really wasn’t God or God doesn’t even exist, what moral teachings really matter. But John wants us to know that Jesus really was God in the flesh.

i. Paul will say in .

Paul will say in .

Colossians 1:13–17 NASB95

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:13–17 NASB95

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Because Christ was from the beginning and was involved in the creation of the world, that gives him the authority to tell us how to live our lives. And as the Hebrews author reminds us, he gives us this moral guidance not because he can or because it is arbitrary, but rather because he knows what it is like to be in our position and he wants us to have the best life in service to our loving God that we can.

Because Christ was from the beginning and was involved in the creation of the world, that gives him the authority to tell us how to live our lives. And as the Hebrews author reminds us, he gives us this moral guidance not because he can or because it is arbitrary, but rather because he knows what it is like to be in our position and he wants us to have the best life in service to our loving God that we can. Jesus has the authority to teach as God and the credibility to teach because of our shared experience.

Jesus’ teachings are the next thing that John will point to in the opening sentence of 1 John.

We have so many excellent passages that give us the teachings of Jesus. John himself would talk about what Jesus did and say that “if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. ()

John 21:25 NASB95

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.

If we consider the magnitude of the things that Jesus taught, it is truly incredible. When we read the gospel of John, he is recording the things that he personally was a witness to. Let’s look at one small piece of Jesus’ teaching that shows Jesus’ authority.

i. If we consider the magnitude of the things that Jesus taught, it is truly incredible. When we read the gospel of John, he is recording the things that he personally was a witness to. Let’s look at one small piece of Jesus’ teaching that shows Jesus’ authority.

b.

.

John 15:12–17 NASB95

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. “You are My friends if you do what I command you. “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. “This I command you, that you love one another.

Imagine being John at this last supper and hearing these words the first time, you don’t know whats going to happen but remembering that night later, these words take on special significance.

John 5:18–47 NASB95

For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. “For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. “For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. “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. “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. “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. “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. “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?”

If we were to read on in 1 John, we would see the focus that the apostle has on the concept of love. He sat there and listened to all that Jesus taught on the subject and so as he is now a few decades removed, he considers Jesus’ teachings on love to be some of the most important to pass along.

Jesus’ words in are instructions for how we should act but they are made all the more meaningful considering that Jesus lived them in a few short hours after saying them.

Can you imagine seeing the things which the apostle John saw? What amazing things happened that John was a firsthand witness to. One thing that I think would have been especially memorable would have been the events we read about in .

a. Can you imagine seeing the things which the apostle John saw? What amazing things happened that John was a firsthand witness to. One thing that I think would have been especially memorable would have been the events we read about in .

b.

John 19:16–27 NASB95

So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified. They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Therefore many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’; but that He said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’ ” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be”; this was to fulfill the Scripture: “They divided My outer garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.

John 19:16–27 NASB95

So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified. They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Therefore many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’; but that He said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’ ” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be”; this was to fulfill the Scripture: “They divided My outer garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.

What comes to mind when we think about the crucifixion? It was a brutal way to kill a person. Not only intended to kill but also disgrace and deter others from doing the same thing. John was there. He saw it and fully understands what it meant for Jesus to give his life for us. John didn’t have to consider it as a mental exercise, he saw it happen.

i. What comes to mind when we think about the crucifixion? It was a brutal way to kill a person. Not only intended to kill but also disgrace and deter others from doing the same thing. John was there. He saw it and fully understands what it meant for Jesus to give his life for us. John didn’t have to consider it as a mental exercise, he saw it happen.

How does this change John? Many have suggested that John was likely the youngest apostle because we have extremely good evidence that he lived for a long time after the events of the New Testament. He would certainly go on to have a great relationship with the people of Ephesus. He writes in these letters not to love the world, to love one another because God is love and about the promise of eternal life.

1. How does this change John? Many have suggested that John was likely the youngest apostle because we have extremely good evidence that he lived for a long time after the events of the New Testament. He would certainly go on to have a great relationship with the people of Ephesus. He writes in these letters not to love the world, to love one another because God is love and about the promise of eternal life.

John is an eyewitness to the crucifixion, and I have no doubt that changed his perspective on everything moving forward. But that isn’t all that John saw.

ii. John is an eyewitness to the crucifixion, and I have no doubt that changed his perspective on everything moving forward. But that isn’t all that John saw.

John would also see something else.

c. John would also see something else.

John 20:1–8 NASB95

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” So Peter and the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb. The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first; and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed.

Listen to the way that John describes this experience. He stops at the entrance to the tomb. He beats Peter in a footrace to the tomb and then stops and can’t quite go in until Peter is there with him. Then he goes in with Peter and sees the linens empty and the cloth that covered Jesus’ face was folded to the side and John believed.

i. Listen to the way that John describes this experience. He stops at the entrance to the tomb. He beats Peter in a footrace to the tomb and then stops and can’t quite go in until Peter is there with him. Then he goes in with Peter and sees the linens empty and the cloth that covered Jesus’ face was folded to the side and John believed.

John is writing in this letter to Christians and says in .

d. John is writing in this letter to Christians and says in . John is writing for those who know, for those who have seen, and for those like us who did not see Jesus on earth but instead can trust the testimony of those who did.

1 John 5:13–14 NASB95

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

John is writing for those who know, for those who have seen, and for those like us who did not see Jesus on earth but instead can trust the testimony of those who did.

i. We sing a song, “We Saw Thee Not.”

We sing a song, “We Saw Thee Not.”

We saw Thee not when Thou didst come To this poor world of sin and death; Nor yet beheld Thy cottage home, In that despisèd Nazareth. But we believe Thy footsteps trod Its streets and plains, Thou Son of God. But we believe Thy footsteps trod Its streets and plains, Thou Son of God.

We did not see Thee lifted high, Amid that wild and savage crew; Nor heard Thy meek, imploring cry, Forgive, they know not what they do! Yet we believe the deed was done, That shook the earth and veiled the sun. But we believe the deed was done, Which shook the earth and veiled the sun.

We stood not by the empty tomb, Where late Thy sacred body lay; Nor sat within that upper room, Nor met Thee on the open way. But we believe that angels said, Why seek the living with the dead? But we believe that angels said, Why seek the living with the dead?

We have the assurance that the things we read about in Scripture are true and that we have evidence that these things really happened. We don’t have a blind faith but faith based in evidence and in testimony from eyewitnesses.

We did not mark the chosen few, When Thou didst through the clouds ascend, First lift to Heaven their wondering view, Then to the earth all prostrate bend; But we believe that mortal eyes Beheld that journey to the skies; But we believe that mortal eyes Beheld that journey to the skies.

We have the assurance that the things we read about in Scripture are true and that we have evidence that these things really happened. We don’t have a blind faith but faith based in evidence and in testimony from eyewitnesses.

The way John ends verse one of the letter is to say that “what we have looked at and touched with our hands.” The God who created the universe came in the flesh, taught humanity how to live a right life and gave his life that we might live.

This morning we have talked about what Jesus meant to John but what we now must consider is what Jesus means to us. John says in

1 John 1:3 NASB95

what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

We can have the same promise of salvation and fellowship with God the father, and his Son Jesus Christ as that of John the apostle.

If you want to have that, we can accommodate it this morning. You come forward as we sing, we will take your confession and baptize you into Christ Jesus

Maybe it is that you’ve been baptized but haven’t been living the right way, we can pray for you and help you as fello Christians.

Eyewitness Testimony

Introduction

“From the Beginning”

“We have heard”

“We have seen”

Conclusion

Conclusion