Three Supernatural Witnesses of Jesus
Today's Verse
1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him.2By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments.3For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,4because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.5Who then overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.6This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth.7For there are three that testify:8the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement.9Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son.10Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.11And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.1 John 5:1-12 · BSB
The Devotion
Did you know that the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead was verified by over 500 human eyewitnesses? John began First John saying about Jesus: "that . . . which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands — this is the Word of life." As a young man, John physically walked with Jesus and had an up-close, personal view of Jesus's life and ministry, his death, burial, and resurrection. John himself was a human testimony, a natural witness to Jesus.
In the last chapter, John tells us about three supernatural witnesses to Jesus: the Spirit, the water, and the blood. He says "Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater." What is the testimony of God, and is God still giving witness to the power of Jesus today? Let's look at the three witnesses John mentions.
1. The Spirit. Jesus said the Holy Spirit would bear witness of Him in John 15:26 (CSB): “When the Counselor comes, the one I will send to you from the Father —the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—he will testify about me." The Holy Spirit is God's presence on earth to convict people of their sin and to point them to the Savior, Jesus. When the Holy Spirit convicts somebody of their sin and they are saved and radically changed, that's a testimony that the Holy Spirit is alive and working today -- supernaturally.
2. The Water. When Jesus was baptized (what I think John meant by "the water"), there was a supernatural sign, and heaven opened up. Mark 1 says that the Spirit of God descended down on Jesus like a dove, and a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." Whenever somebody follows in obedience by getting baptized, they show they are united with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. There's a supernatural testimony every time someone gets baptized!
3. The Blood. Hebrews says that the blood of Jesus is a testimony, speaking a better word than the blood of Abel (Adam's son who was murdered by his brother). 1 John 1 says if we walk in the light as Jesus is in the light, we have fellowship with God, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin. The blood still testifies today because the blood of Jesus still changes lives.
What an amazing thought! God sent His Son Jesus, and He continues to testify of Jesus through His supernatural Word, through the Holy Spirit, through water baptism, and the blood of Jesus, which can save anybody!
Lord, thank you for all of the witnesses that point to the reality that Jesus is alive, that He is on the throne and all-powerful, that He has conquered sin and death, and that He is reigning as King and coming back again. Help me live for the kingdom of heaven today. In Jesus' name, amen.
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