May 13, 2023
Authentication at the Highest Level
“Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me. Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.’” John 8:14-18 (NASB)
Many Christians still struggle if their salvation is real. Am I still saved? How do I know? Many wonder if it stuck or whether it was just a feeling. In my early years I had times when I thought the same thing. I wondered how God could love me, save me, and then watch me do stupid things. It made me wonder. It was mutually confusing when I heard pastors preaching. They reinforced the confusion. They would ask those who weren’t sure to pray for salvation all over again. “Just do it again to make sure,” one pastor said. Now, I know.
When Jesus said, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.” Jesus was sure of His origin and where He was going. He knew the Father’s plan. He was secure in His identity when others weren’t. John MacArthur shares some interesting comments in today’s verses. He says, “These verses give three reasons why Jesus’ witness was true. 1) Jesus knew His origin and destiny while the Jews were ignorant even of basic spiritual truths, making their judgment limited and the superficial (vv. 14-15); 2) the intimate union of the Son with the Father guaranteed the truth of the Son’s witness (v. 16); and 3) the Father and Son witnessed harmoniously together regarding the identity of the Son (vv. 17,18).”[1] “… for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.” First: Jesus knew where He was going after His time on earth. He was headed back to Heaven. He would take a seat beside the Father. Lazily, the Jews didn’t search the Scriptures to determine the identity of the rightful Messiah. They put it off on people like Nicodemus (7:50-51). For those who studied scripture, the Jews were ignorant to the truth, unknowingly or willingly. Jesus threatened their way of life by offering forgiveness to all. They sought to keep people under the law. Second: “My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me.” To authenticate Jesus’ words, He used the Father as the source. This was the key reference on His resume, God’s Word. The words He shared came directly from “the Father who sent Me.” Third: “Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.” When the Jews brought the woman in adultery to the temple, the Law required two witnesses to convict. None remained. When Jesus referred to the law, this was already known by the Jews. Finally, the Father authenticated Him. There was a record to know the identity of the Messiah, it is God’s Word.
When I look to my salvation today, I realize I did nothing to earn it. It was all by the finished work of Jesus Christ. My resume in heaven is based upon Jesus testimony and backed up by the Father’s Words. He who lives in eternity assurances me, because He created it! So take assurance from Jesus and your Heavenly Father today and rely on their words, not your feelings.
[1] (MacArthur, 1997), 1598.