While we are home in New Jersey on an unexpected furlough from our mission in Nicaragua, we were borrowing a car to get around. But then a very kind and generous person gave us a car, a 2004 PT Cruiser. Of course, then I had to get insurance for it. Sharon from Hardenburgh Insurance went the extra mile for us and got us a good rate even after having a “lapse” in coverage while we were away. (That’s not good for your insurance rating.)
A few weeks later, I got a letter from the insurance carrier that my premium went up because they found a violation on my record that I hadn’t reported! The letter said that I had gotten a speeding ticket in Virginia on September 2, 2016. I know I didn’t get a ticket! And I was in at language school in Costa Rica on that date! This is a testimony on my record that really don’t want nor deserve!
After weeks of trying to figure out how to clear my record of this obvious clerical error, Cassandra tells my son Nate of the situation. He says, “Oh yeah. I remember that. We went to visit Liberty University. On the way back, Dad made us stop at Appomattox. After that, he got a speeding ticket on the highway home. Dad told me not to tell anyone.” Wow! Bomb dropped. (We were at my in-law’s house and, presumably, I didn’t want him running in and making a big announcement about it as soon we walked in the door.)
Usually, getting stopped by the police with your son in the car would be a very memorable event, but I still don’t remember any details or circumstances about getting this ticket. I would deny with my dying breath that it ever happened.
But there are two testimonies that make it “true”. Nate’s testimony, and the ticket on my record, which is the written testimony of the police officer who allegedly witnessed me speeding.
In Bible times, a single point of testimony was not “true”, or acceptable, without at least a second testimony. So, in Bible times, I could continue to deny my own infraction against Nate, or against the ticket on my record, but not against both.
In the Gospel of John 5:19-47, Jesus knew that his own testimony about himself wasn’t considered as “true” by itself. But then he calls in his supporting witnesses to his claims that he is the Son of God.Jesus says that his supporting testimony is even greater than what any man can say of him. His “true” supporting testimonies are his works and the words of his Father as written in the holy scriptures (vs 36-37).
And then he turns the table on his accusers and they become the “defendants” against the same set of testimonies (v 45).
Docket Number 43-5-4547God’s Word and Jesus’ Life (Works), which testify of who he isV.God’s Word and Their Lives (Works), which testify of who they are
And those same testimonies accuse us also! Like in my case with the speeding ticket, the testimonies are damning, so I’d rather go on denying the judgement. But to do that, I would be arguing against the written record and calling my son a liar, which I know he is not.
So why would I deny it? Well, Jesus says it’s because I seek my own will (my own glory) rather than the will of God, which is His glory (John 5:30, 44).
I will believe and confess, because the testimonies are admissible and true.
“’The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’…because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
by Craig Fisher