Witness The Law And The Lawgiver

So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness 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 judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” — John 8:13-18

I find two things fascinating about this moment.

First, these Pharisees' self-righteous religious legalism ran so deep that they thought they were the law. Just the way this statement is spoken sounds to me like they are saying, "We'll decide who you are based on our law and proceedings. We will find the witnesses and testimonies and decide who you are and where you are from." But they fail to realize that the one who wrote the Law is standing right before them. Thus their self-righteousness has clouded their judgment.

Second, you'll notice that Jesus's ability to judge in this matter is not clouded. He knows that his reason for being in the world is not to bear judgment but witness. Right now, his mission is to bear witness to God. The time of judgment comes much later. But even in this, Jesus never ignores his own Law. He is perfectly obedient to it and uses it to prove his point. That there is a witness. But they won't find him because they don't know him — he is the Father.

From this, we learn a magnificent lesson from Jesus. That is this. Every natural law is essential, they guide and direct what we do and how we do it. But at some point, you must look beyond the laws and invite yourself to ask the obvious question — who established these laws? And the only natural conclusion is this. There must be a Law Giver that exists that is just, righteous, and holy.

ASK THIS: Do you believe the Law Giver exists?

DO THIS: Trust in the Father and the testimony of Jesus.

PRAY THIS: God, give me understanding. Please tell me what to do.

PLAY THIS: Testify.