GOD’S MESSENGERS

John 5:31-38
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Witnesses to Jesus

31 “If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid. 32 But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true. 33 In fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true. 34 Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved. 35 John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. 36 But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face, 38 and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me—the one he sent to you.


God chose long ago to use ‘… human witnesses…’ to reach mankind with His message of love, His invitation to relationship. Today we call them preachers, pastors, elders, priests, missionaries or ministers. The task given to these human witnesses is to witness to Jesus.

For the most part, these human witnesses do well as long as they keep to their assigned focus. When we lose focus is when we get in trouble (yes, I are one of them so I can speak to this). All too often these human witnesses end up as front page stories themselves. Today it is Rod Parsley and John Hagee. Yesterday it was Jeremiah Wright. Note that in each case they were talking about something other than Jesus when they inserted their foot in their mouth.

The world may get excited about other front page news but the greatest story ever told remains Jesus Christ … Him lifted up … His sacrifice on the Cross … His resurrection … Him glorified!!! Witnesses, stick to THE story.