Multi-trillion reasons to believe in Jesus

READ: 1 Chronicles 13, 14; Proverbs 23; John 19: 25-42

SCRIPTURE:  John 19: 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.

OBSERVATION: In John 19:35, apostle John gives an indirect reference to his authorship of the Gospel. Gospel writers' focus was on Jesus, not on writing about themselves. Here, we understand that the one who wrote the Gospel of John was a direct eyewitness of Jesus Christ; he testifies what he witnessed in his life. John gives particular preference to witnessing or testifying about Jesus. More than any other gospel writer, John uses the verb martureó, which means "to bear witness or testify," 33 times. Here, he testifies about the crucifixion of Jesus and the fulfillment of one of the messianic prophecies (See verses 34 & 36). John was standing close by the cross and witnessed the death of Jesus with his eyes. He saw that Jesus's death was different from others who were crucified with him. Jesus voluntarily allowed to suffer the pain of crucifixion and gave up his life. When the soldiers found that Jesus unusually died sooner, a soldier "pierced Jesus' side with a spear." John testifies his watching the horrible scene of the flow of water and blood from Jesus' body and how it fulfilled a messianic prophecy (Zech.12:10). 

The Bible has more than 300 prophecies about the coming Messiah. They were all written at least 500 years before Jesus' birth. Fulfillment of all the messianic prophecies in one man's life is impossible. Peter Stoner chose eight messianic prophecies ("the one they have pierced" is one among them) that are fulfilled in the life of Jesus to prove the divinity of Jesus and the divine inspiration of the Bible. Stoner says, according to the principles of probability, "the chance that any man might have lived down to the present time and fulfilled all eight prophecies is 1 in 100000000000000000" (Science Speaks). In other words, it is impossible. Yet, all the prophecies are perfectly fulfilled in Jesus. John testifies what he saw directly; his witness is powerful evidence in any court of law. John writes a reason for why he testifies about Jesus. John wants his readers to believe in Jesus (cf. Jn.1:7; 20:31), the Messiah. John knows and affirms that his testimony is true and that Jesus is the truth. Our faith in Jesus Christ is not a blind faith but built upon the historical truth of Jesus Christ, who came down to earth and gave his life to save us from sins.

APPLICATION: People may say various excuses to reject Jesus. But, I have uncountable reasons to believe in Jesus Christ. John’s testimony of Jesus adds confidence to my belief in Jesus Christ. I believe Jesus died for me and paid the price for my sins. I, too, have a personal testimony about Jesus Christ; I know Jesus is the truth. I can always trust him without any doubts.

PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for your love that saved me. Help me to share my testimony about your truth that delivered me from all chains and bondages. My savior, give me your wisdom and strength to bear witness to your amazing grace and evergreen truth. Amen.

 - Arputharaj Samuel

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