January 16, 2023
A Clear Testimony
“This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” John 1:19-21 (NASB)
I remember years ago testifying in criminal court. As I took the stand a little nervous, the defense attorney came to the stand to cross examine. He immediately began attacking me and to trying to disqualify me as a witness in the case. He knew if he could disqualify my statements, my testimony no would carry in weight in the case. As time went by, I remembered a phrase the defense attorney used when he was speaking. One word. I won’t share it with you as it was a pretty sensitive case involving a child. When I returned to the table where the prosecutor was, I thought of something. I asked to use a legal dictionary to define a word. When I arrived back on the stand later that day, I used the defense attorney’s statement and asked the judge for a clarification/correction to his use of the one word. The judge allowed me to read from Black’s Law Dictionary. To make a long story short, the judge allowed my clarification, and the attorney was sustained in his word usage. As a result of that word during my testimony, a lot of evidence was allowed in the case. A total of 180 felony counts. Words or testimonies change lives. In this case, the defendant later pled to lessor charges but still was given two life sentences. He is there to this day…
John spends a lot of time discussing his interaction with the priests and Levites (The Sadducees) whom the Jews sent to interview him. In the first question John immediately disowns himself to be the Christ. He said, “I am not the Christ.” Even though Christ was now expected and waited for he started the answer with “I.” This response is emphatic in language and means “I am not the Christ, though the Christ is here.” Now the second question came as to whether he was Elijah. John responded, “I am not.” John came in the spirit and power of Elias, but he was not the person of Elias.”[1] By the time the third question came, it is obvious that John became shorter in his patience and reply, “No.” John was not that Prophet whom Moses said the Lord would raise up to them of their brethren, like unto him.”[2] The Sadducees were thorough with their questions looking to disavow him as quickly as they could. I know that feeling well too.
When we come in the name of Jesus, we aren’t Jesus, an Old Testament saint, or a prophet. We don’t need someone to validate it like a O. T. saint or prophet. We are messengers with a testimony just like John. We have God living inside of us, and the forgiveness of Christ in our lives. We come with the testimony that the Savior has come and provides eternal life to all who will receive His forgiveness.
Now our job is just like that of John’s, go and share that He has come! Tell the world of His saving power and forgiveness. Remember though to pray first and connect with God to allow Him to begin the work before your mouth begins the testimony.
[1] Matthew Henry and Thomas Scott, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997), Jn 1:19.
[2] Ibid, Jn 1:19.