We resume our study of the Gospel of John. We pick up at verse 13 in Chapter 8: Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle wrote:
“The Pharisees challenged Him, ‘Here you are appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.’ Jesus answered, ‘Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards, I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father who sent Me. In your own Law, it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. I am One who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father who sent Me.’ Then they asked Him, ‘Where is your Father?’ Jesus replied. If you knew Me, you would know my Father also.’ He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.'” (John 8: 13-20)
He had just said unto them, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
He had just told them He was the awaited Messiah. Yet all they could say was “Who says so?” Jesus replied, ” I say it, and my Father who sent Me is my witness.” Their reply was “Where is your Father. Where is your witness. We need to hear him say what you are saying.” Jesus was telling them, “I am the Father. If you knew Me you would know that. You would know who I AM.”
God is the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is God in three persons, the Trinity, yet He is One. The Apostle Paul had been shown by Christ, and wrote in his letter to the Colossians: “The Son is the image of the invisible God.” (Colossians 1:15.) He wrote, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” (Colossians 2: 9,10.) When they were looking at Jesus, they were looking at the Father. If they had listened to and received His Words instead of trying to find a way to discredit Him, perhaps they would have realized that God Himself, in all of His fullness, was standing before them in the body of Jesus.
“May we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever.” (2 Peter 3:18)