Our Testimony
Scripture
Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony
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. (John 8:12-20).
Reflection
When you tell someone how you came to faith in Jesus, what experiences come to your mind as you begin to share your testimony? Maybe your back was against the wall and someone shared with you the hope of Jesus. Or perhaps you were living life your own way, never really feeling satisfied, and a friend invited you to come to church, where you accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Whatever the case may be, your testimony of who you are in Christ is a powerful witness that no one can dispute or take from you.
Jesus called himself the light of the world who gave life to those who followed him. He knew who he was. The Pharisees challenged what he said, but Jesus answered that that no one could argue against his testimony; he knew what he said was true (v. 14). The Pharisees claimed that he had no witnesses, but Jesus had not one but two witnesses: himself, and his Father who sent him. The Pharisees’ own law stated that the testimony of two witnesses made a statement valid. What they had used to trap Jesus was the very law he used in response to them; they could not disprove his testimony.
As we reflect on this passage, we find the same to be true of our own testimonies. Skeptics may say that one cannot prove nor disprove God’s existence, while nonbelievers may quarrel over semantics in an attempt to win their argument against him. But when you share your testimony, no one can ever claim you didn’t have the experience you had. You also have another witnesses—the Holy Spirit himself (Romans 8:16).
Jesus knew where he had come from and where he was going. We, too, know where Jesus has brought us from and where we are going. We, too, know who we are—God’s children, part of his kingdom, purchased with the blood of Christ. We can share our testimonies about who we are with confidence—the Holy Spirit speaks to us and through us to proclaim Christ.
This season of Lent, take time to consider the miracle of your testimony, the testimony that God has given you and the Holy Spirit confirms. Take time to appreciate who you are in Christ. Take time to ask him where you can share your experience with those who don’t yet know him.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you that because you broke into our lives, we have a marvelous and irrefutable testimony to share. Help us to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel as we share our testimony with others. Amen.
2024 Lenten Journey
Adrian Brown