ESOCS Devotional 20 June 2022
TEXT: JOHN 8:12–20
MEMORY VERSE: “Jesus answered and said unto him, though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.” John 8: 14 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
The Pharisees did not receive the testimony of the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ who claimed that He is the Light of the world sent from the Father, God (v 12). They did however recognize the enormity of His claim, and they replied, ‘… thy record is not true.’ Their prejudice prevented them from giving fair consideration to His life and teaching; therefore, they fell back on claiming that what a man says about himself carries no weight. Indeed, their rabbinic law of evidence stated that a man’s own testimony of himself was invalid.
By principle, any man who bears record of himself is a liar and is not worthy to be trusted and followed. But a man who knows who he is, where he is coming from and where he is going, and who is his support breaks this principle and stands tall amongst all, even when he bears his own record. Though you may not believe him, his testimony would stand the test of time and the manifestation to prove him would show.
When you know someone and he talks about himself you know whether it’s true or not; but when you don’t know him you doubt his words and may even think he is self-conceited. This is the problem the Pharisees had with Jesus in the scripture above. Beloved, Jesus knew who He is and where He came from; and knew He was telling the truth. So, there was nothing to be worried about (v 14).
Jesus who is from above does not judge after the flesh and gives true judgement (vs 15–16). Besides, the Father also bears witness of Him, which authenticate His record to be true, makes it to be eternally and exceptionally true (v 17).
Beloved, we have a duty to bear the record of Jesus out there. We are His representatives here on earth and have to sing Him to the world. Yes we would use our experiences with Him and encounters we have with Him as examples and people will draw inspiration and hope from them. Don’t let the challenges from men and their criticisms cause you to give up or stop the preaching of Jesus.
- Do you have any doubt about the record of Jesus? What is your conviction about the Lord Jesus Christ?
- Lord, help me to be your true representative here on earth, in Jesus name.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Exodus 14:21–31; 2 Kings 7:3–20; Revelation 14:1-13
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ESOCS Devotional 20 June 2022
