“By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true. “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light. “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”
—John 5:30-40

~~~~~

Testifying to Jesus
By Jennifer Kane

Tested. Tried.
The genuine is always measured—
the real proven by fire,
the false sifted out in silence.

From ancient relics under glass
to the purity of drinking water,
from promoting a student
to licensing a surgeon or a chef—
there is always a standard.
A line that must be met.
A truth that won’t move.

The Law.
The Prophets.
They stand—
immovable,
unyielding.
The test is not simple,
and I cannot pass it.

But Jesus could.
And Jesus did.

He met the standard,
fulfilled the prophecy,
kept the Law without fault.

John bore witness.
The Father gave confirmation.
The Scriptures echo with His name.

A certified Savior.
Verified by word and wonder.
Endorsed by Heaven itself.

And so—
I trust Him.
Fully.
Freely.
When I am tested,
when the fires come,
when the questions press in—
I will not rely on myself.

I will rest in the One
who passed the test
for me.

~~~~~

Scripture: John 5:1-47

In John 5, we enter the heart of one of Jesus’ most powerful teaching moments. After healing a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years, Jesus was questioned not only about His miraculous work—but about His identity. In response, He makes an extraordinary claim: “By myself I can do nothing. I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.”

Here, Jesus does more than defend His actions. He declares His complete unity with the Father. He isn’t acting independently—He is carrying out the very will of God. These are not the words of a mere prophet or moral teacher. Jesus is revealing that His authority is divine, and His works are not His alone—they are the Father’s works.

But Jesus understands the weight of what He is saying. Claims this significant—divine sonship, perfect judgment, unity with God—demand evidence. And so He lays it out plainly: His testimony is not based on self-assertion alone. According to the Jewish law, a matter required two or more witnesses to be established (Deut. 19:15). Jesus presents a fourfold testimony:

1. John the Baptist – A prophet sent ahead to prepare the way. Though Jesus did not need John’s witness, He references it because God graciously provided it for the people’s benefit. John was like a lamp—burning bright and briefly—but he pointed to the true Light of the world (vv. 33–35).
2. Jesus’ Miracles – The works Jesus performed weren’t mere displays of power. They were divine fingerprints, signs that God was at work in Him. These miracles testified that He was sent by the Father (v. 36).
3. The Father Himself – God the Father bears witness to the Son, not just in word, but in divine partnership and purpose. Jesus only does what He sees the Father doing (v. 19). This relationship is a testimony unlike any other.
4. The Scriptures – Ironically, the very Scriptures the religious leaders studied so diligently pointed directly to Jesus. They searched the Word for eternal life, but refused to come to the One the Word revealed (vv. 39–40).

When doubts arise or faith feels weak, we can return to this strong foundation. We are not asked to believe blindly. God has provided ample testimony:
A faithful forerunner in John the Baptist
A life of miraculous signs and compassionate works
The unity between Father and Son
And the enduring voice of Scripture that always pointed to Christ

Yet despite all this, Jesus grieved that many still refused to come to Him for life.

That raises a personal question for us: Are we coming to Jesus—not just admiring His words or agreeing with His morals—but surrendering to Him as the One sent by God, the Giver of eternal life?

Jesus doesn’t ask us to believe without witness. He offers us a well-documented, Spirit-affirmed testimony of who He is and why He came. Let us hold fast to that testimony in seasons of faith and seasons of trial.

May we never settle for knowing about Him through Scripture alone, but come to know Him—personally, daily, and truly—as the One who gives life.

~~~~~

Lord Jesus, Thank You for revealing Yourself so clearly through Your works, Your Word, and the witness of those You’ve sent. Help me not only to study the Scriptures, but to come to You—the source of true life. Strengthen my faith in moments of doubt, and let the testimony of who You are anchor my soul. May I live today as one who believes in You fully, loves You deeply, and follows You faithfully. Amen.

June 30 2025