John Testifies (and so should we)
In John 5:31-39, Jesus uses the word ‘testify’ or ‘testimony’ ten times. When I counted them up, I thought: What exactly does the word mean? Oxford Dictionary defines the word ‘testify’ as “giving evidence as a witness in a law court”, or, as Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it, “to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact.”
John’s Testimony
When we testify or make a testimony, we're claiming that something is true because of our experience of that thing. And so look closely with me this week at what Jesus says about testifying. In verse 33 to 35 He says, “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony,” Jesus says, “but I mention it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.” He was saying “John's life testified. It was a witness to me. Look at John and see the truth about me in John.”
Our Testimony
And this made me think, Do I testify to the truth? Does my life stand as a witness to the truth about Jesus? Would Jesus ever say to somebody else, “Look at Luke, he testifies to the truth”? And maybe that's a challenge to you today. Will Jesus point somebody else to you because you testify like a bright, shining light for Jesus? Do your words and the way you speak testify, give witness to Jesus’ work in your life? Does the way you live your life, the things you value and the things you do, do they shine a light for Christ?
Let's ask God today to shine His light through us so that our lives, like John the Baptist’s life, can be a testimony to the work that Jesus does. And maybe somebody today is going to look at you and see the light of Christ and believe in Him because of your testimony in word and in deed.
