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The Star Witness

The Star Witness
Words of Faith 10-11-16
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2016
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
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John 5
[31] "If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. [32] There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid.
[33] "You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. [34] Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. [35] John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
[36] "I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. [37] And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, [38] nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. [39] You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, [40] yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Why would Jesus need someone to testify on His behalf? And why would His own testimony be invalid? Hmmm.
Remember that Jesus was engaging the religious leaders who had objected to His healing a man on the Sabbath. In response, Jesus had revealed some rather profound things about Himself, that He was the Son of Man and the source of Life. Such statements were surely in question and some testimony was required to substantiate His claims.
The reason Jesus discounted His own testimony is because under Jewish law the self-testimony of any man was not accepted in court. He could not vouch Himself but Jesus directed his skeptics to the testimony of John. These leaders had sent a delegation to check John out only to find him pointing to another “greater than he”. Jesus did not require testimony about Himself, but if they did, perhaps John’s word might clear the way for them to be saved.
The real testimony—the “star witness” regarding Jesus—was not what He said about Himself, but the works the Father had given to Him to finish! These "works" (erga) were deeds that revealed Jesus' divine nature. Tenney notes that “just as the quality of a man's deeds show his moral standards, skill, and personal competence, so Jesus' works marked him as superhuman in both his compassion and his power.” He said later to those who questioned Him, "The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me" (10:25). In His final discourse to the disciples Jesus asked them to believe him "on the evidence of the miracles [works] themselves" (14:11).
Throughout the Gospel of John there is a clear record of this testimony to the unique and saving power of God in Jesus. He turned water into wine (2:1-11), healed the official's son (4:43-54), healed a paralytic (5:1-15), fed a multitude (6:1-14), walked on the water (6:16-21), cured a blind man (9:1-41), and raised Lazarus from death (11:1-44). In every emergency of life, Jesus is able to transform and save. These miracles were signs that pointed beyond themselves to testify as to the unique nature of Jesus and His power to give us Life.
Have you heard the testimony? The star witness? Have you heard the wonderful signs of Jesus that point to the power of Life over death? If so, rejoice in that Life today! If not, hear the testimony “that you may be saved”.

O God, I rejoice in the Life that only You can give! I give thanks for the testimony that assures me You are able to handle every calamity of this earthly life. Walk with me today. In Jesus’ Name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2002, 2016
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.