Jesus Said, "But I Receive Not Testimony From Man; But These Things I Say That Ye Might Be Saved - Part 1689

When the Passover (a feast of the Jews was nigh), Jesus lifts up His eyes and sees a great company coming unto Him. Thus, Jesus said to Philip, "Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" Note what the scriptures state -- "And this He said to prove him; for He Himself knew what He would do." (John 6:6)

Indeed, there was never a time when Jesus Himself did not know what He would do but as we soon recognize in searching the scriptures, it is we - His beloved creation --who at times struggle understanding until Jesus -- the Light of the world -- makes the pieces fit together. It is in this context that certain points are simply stated (outside of the words of Jesus and/or apostles), so that He can prove also our faith. Are our hearts honest and true? Do we truly believe Jesus is all that He claims to be? The King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending! (Revelation 1:8)

Moreover, have the scales fallen/been taken from our eyes so that when we come to Jesus, we do so with a lover's heart, desiring to know more of Him, as we do when we pursue a girl/boyfriend for the first time? To this end, there are two scriptural examples that I would like to focus on this day.  Taken together, we begin to see how the same Word that Jesus gave to us an garners two very different heart responses -- one whereby the scriptures cause our hearts to burn with desire within us for more of Jesus, and sadly, the other using His own Word to declare Jesus of none effect.

Still, allow me to note this. Jesus said, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) So, even though the world uses the analogy that we are all climbing the same mountain to God but from different perspectives, there is only ONE WAY to experience salvation, and that is when we admit in our hearts (as did Mary the mother of Jesus) that God is our Saviour -- His Word made flesh and dwelling among us so that we might know Him -- as did Peter standing with the eleven -- that Jesus is both Lord and Christ ... and our Saviour too. (John 1:1-18; Titus 3:4-7; I Timothy 3:16; Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Acts 2:36-38)But I digress.

The first scriptural account is the witness of Jesus after He has risen, but not yet ascended as stated in Acts 1:2-3. Mary Magdalene, and Johanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles had gone to tell the eleven (and to all the rest) that Jesus was no longer in the sepulcher as they supposed. The second account is the worldly opinion held by those who opposed Jesus while He walked on earth, referring to Jesus specifically as the deceiver, and citing Jesus' own words to substantiate their case against Him (and, as leverage to secure the sepulcher) to Pilate. Two contrasting heart positions that are quite telling in their own right.

From Luke's gospel: "And behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about three score furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know Him.

And Jesus said unto them, "What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?" And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto Him, "Art Thou a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?" And He said unto them, "What things?"

And they said unto Him -- concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death and have crucified Him. "But we trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done." Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulcher: and when they found not His body, they came saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that He was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulcher, and found it even so as the women had said, but Him they saw not."

Then [Jesus] said unto them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?" And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, [Jesus] expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and He made as though He would have gone further. But they constrained Him saying, "Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as He sat at meat with them, He took bread and blessed, and brake and gave it to them.

And THEIR EYES WERE OPENED, and they knew Him and He vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, "Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the scriptures?"

And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, "The Lord is risen, indeed, and hath appeared to Simon." And they told what things were done in the way, and how He was known of them in breaking of bread. And as they thus spake, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, "Peace be unto you."

But they were terrified and affrighted [frightened] and supposed that they had seen a S/spirit." And He said unto them, "Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts rise in your hearts? Behold, My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me and see for a S/spirit hath no flesh and bones as ye see Me have." (Luke 24:13-40; John 20:20; I Corinthians 15:50)

"And when He had so said, He showed unto them [His] hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord." (John 20:20)

"When Jesus said this, He shewed them His hands and feet. And while they yet believed -- not for joy and wondered -- He said unto them, "Have ye here any meat?" And they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And He took and did eat before them. And He said unto them, "These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms concerning Me." (Luke 38-44)

Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. What was that understanding that was so critical for the disciples to know?

And so it is written, "The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening Spirit." (I Corinthians 15:45)

"Thus, it is written, and this it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem, and ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:45-49)

The power from on high? The Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of Jesus -- descending upon those who believed, and gladly received His Word -- Jesus as the Word that was with God and was God -- on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 1:2, 8; Acts 2:1-47; John 1:1-18)

"And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God, Amen." (Luke 24:50-53)

As Jesus prayed for those who believe in Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength -- "Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy Word is truth." (John 17:17; Ephesians 5:26; Psalm 119:9, 142, 151)

Sadly, however, there are those who hated then (and hate to this day) the Name of Jesus. These do not believe that the Name of Jesus is above every other name given unto men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9) Neither do these desire that this same Jesus whom was crucified needs to be King of kings and Lord of lords in each and every one of our hearts -- if we are to be saved.

This account from Matthew 27:62-66. Herein, we see that Jesus has been crucified and laid in the sepulcher -- the new tomb of a rich man of Arimathaea name Joseph, who Himself was Jesus' disciple. (Matthew 27:57) It is now the next day that followed the day of the preparation, and the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate.

These said unto Pilate, "Sir, we remember that the deceiver said, while He was yet alive, "After three days I will rise again!" Command therefore that the sepulcher be made sure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night, and steal Him away, and say unto the people, "He is risen form the dead" so the last error shall be worse than the first." Pilate said unto them, "Ye have a watch; go or way, make it as sure as ye can." So they went and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch." (Matthew 27:62-66)

* The word "error" meaning deception. Sadly, these latter believed the multitudes who had followed Jesus were deceived but not their own hearts. These did not want another King -- the King of kings to rule in their hearts. Even when Jesus said, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth!" (Matthew 28:18)

Even when Jesus came specifically to save those who are lost. To save His people from their sins. To heal the brokenhearted. To set the captives free.

Even when the Lord Himself "hath made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God." (Isaiah 52:10; Psalm 98:1-3; Luke 3:6)

Surely, He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. Yes, like sheep we have all gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way; and yet, the Lord -- on that particular day on that old rugged cross -- laid on Him the iniquity of us all ... as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth.

Continuing, we now know that there was a great earthquake and that the angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it, when the women came to the tomb. And we also know from the scriptures that the angel answered and said unto the women, "Fear not ye, for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen." (Matthew 28:1-7)

This is the good news salvation message. This is why we break forth into joy, singing together of the hope that lives within, knowing that the Lord of glory loved you and I so much that He willingly would endure the cross, and make His grave with the wicked so that many would be justified in Him. It was He Himself who poured out His soul unto death and was numbered with the transgressors. In so doing, He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:1-12; Isaiah 52:10)

Therefore, as the prophecy from afore declared, "my people shall know My Name. Therefore, [they shall know] in that day that I AM He that doth speak; behold, [it is] I." (Isaiah 52:6)

Don't be deceived by the wisdom of this world. Rather, search the scriptures for His truth. Seek His wisdom and knowledge that surpasses all human understanding. Study to show ourselves approved unto God, so that we too can understand that the Word -- as it is written -- are they which testify of Jesus. (John 6:38; II Timothy 2:5)

There is a reason Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life!"

Accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour today. Stand in the offering plate.