John, the Eye-Witness Apostle! John 19:31-37

Text:  “And he (John) that saw it bare record, and his record is true; and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.”

John 19:35.

Good morning, Gospel-believing Christian!  You and I fully believe the Gospel accounts written in our Bibles; the infallible Word of God Himself - due to the Scripturally enlightened fact that we have been given faith by God to do so.  We believe God’s Word because we are born of God - through trusting in the Sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Christ Jesus.  The Lord God has introduced us to the Eternal Truth - and the Truth has set us free from all sin.  Hallelujah!  What a gracious Lord God we love and seek to serve!

“And ye shall know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH shall make you free.”     (John 8:32)

“Jesus saith unto him (Thomas), I am the way the TRUTH, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” (John 14:6)

It is crystal clear that the Lord Jesus Christ was, is and forever shall be - God’s TRUTH incarnate.  We believe the Gospel accounts, therefore, because we personally know God’s Truth, Christ Jesus.  This is a solid fact of our faith; we are in possession of Spiritual truth from God that the world knows nothing about, for it is exercised by God-given faith in Christ.

“But the natural man/woman (unregenerate) receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him/her; neither can he/she know them, because they are Spiritually discerned.”        (1 Corinthians 2:14)

False Religionists:  The Jewish leadership in today’s Bible reading knew nothing of God’s truth.  They were very religious people; but their hypocritical actions betrayed their sin-soaked hearts.  They wanted to observe every jot and tittle of their RELIGIOUSITY - but had no time nor thought for Christ Jesus.  There are still many such false religionists today.

“The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day, (for that Sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.”  (V.31)

Strict in their observance of Jewish ritual laws of the Sabbath day, they showed no modicum of compassion for the crucified thieves, and less for the already dead and cruelly Crucified Christ.  They had religious works, but alas, they were utterly devoid of true faith from God.  They were still ‘…dead in trespasses and sins…’               (Ephesians 2:1-10)

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith (religious fervour) without works (Godly works motivated by true faith) is dead also.”  (James 2:26)

True Christians:  On the other hand, the apostle John was personally present at Calvary’s Hill on that Eternally significant Crucifixion Day.  John witnessed with his own eyes every aspect of the day’s events and faithfully wrote a record of that day’s events for all seekers of Eternal Truth that would later search and find Eternal life through the Gospel account of Christ Jesus‘ Sacrifice.  Old Testament prophecies foretold this Divine event.

“And he (John) that saw it bare record, and his record is true; and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.  For these things were done that the Scriptures (Old Testament prophecies of Christ) should be fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken.”  (V.35-36) 

“He keepeth all His bones; not one of them is broken.” (Psalm 34:20)

“And again another Scripture saith, They shall look upon Him Whom they pierced.”  (V.37)  (Zechariah 12:10)

Being personally present, an eye-witness of these vital Crucifixion events; and specifically seeing with his own eyes the evidence of Christ’s resurrection - made John an apostle with full authority from the Lord God.  Thus, we can believe his truth concerning God’s Truth - the risen Christ Jesus.  Hallelujah!  God’s Word is truth!

“Sanctify them through thy truth; Thy Word IS Truth.”  (John 17:17)

“In the beginning was the Word (Christ Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”    (John 1:1;14)

Thought:  With these Heavenly truths in mind therefore, let us go forth boldly to be witnesses for the Living Truth - Christ Jesus, the Salvation of Jehovah God, to every sinner who believes in Him.  (Romans 10:13)