Two of Four

John 5:⁴⁴ “No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honour each other, but you don’t care about the honour that comes from the one who alone is God.”

Jesus shows us four different kinds of testimony that validate Him, called The Four-Fold Witness.

#1. Self-Testimony: John 5:³¹ “If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid.” Jesus says the first of the four-fold witness is self-testimony. However, if I were to testify about Myself the testimony will not be valid. Notice that Jesus did not say the testimony will not be true, He said the testimony will not be valid. He did not say it will not be true because whatever Jesus says is true indeed. Jesus says, true but not valid – such humility. This is the same God who spoke, and the earth was formed. Jesus chose to subject Himself to what is obtainable in the human community. Meanwhile, it is by the Word of His power that He holds the whole world together. So, His Word is not only true, it is valid.

The day Jesus’ Words become invalid the whole world disintegrates. But He subjected Himself to their law and said His testimony will not be valid – huge humility. Jesus did this for two reasons, scriptural truth that can be found both in the Old and New Testament. 2 Cor.13:¹ “…and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”).” Jesus knew that by scriptures every truth must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. So based on that strength, even though what He is saying is true, He chose not to hold them to that. And instead said His testimony was not valid.

The second reason it is not valid is in the Mishnah. The Mishnah is the documented text of the oral tradition. The Hebrew term Talmud is a compilation of ancient teachings regarded as sacred. The Talmud has two sections – the Mishnah and the Gemara. The Gemara is a collection of commentaries on the Mishnah. The Mishnah is the main thing. Guess what? The Mishnah also says, “none may be believed when he testifies of himself”. So, when Jesus says His testimony is not valid, He is not saying it is not true or that it is even not valid. He is just saying He knows how they think, He knows what their Law says, and He is going to subject Himself to it. Wow!

#2. Testimony Of Another: John 5:^32-33 “But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true. In fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true.” Jesus points to the fact that even though they now have two witnesses, they still will not listen. In other words, it is valuable but is insufficient. Even though it is enough going by the Talmud [by the Mishnah], Jesus says it is insufficient simply because it is human testimony and that was His personal choice. John 5:³⁴ “Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved.” John 5:⁴¹ “Your approval means nothing to me.” I pray in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, may you get to a place [even now], that the approval of men will mean nothing to you.

Prayer: Father, help me live for the audience of The One alone, in Jesus Name. Amen!