John 8:10-18 And if I do judge, My judgment is true, because, … I and the Father who sent Me judge together.  Even in your law it is written that the witness of two men is valid.  I am the One who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me."

Jesus has just finished escaping the trap set for him by the religious leaders. His final double-barrel blast was to instruct the woman, who no longer faced accusers, “Go, and sin no more.” (vs 11) and to state that He was sent into the world as the Light of life [moral, spiritual and intellectual]. This last statement offered the Pharisees an opening and they jumped right in with both feet, (vs 13, paraphrased) “Hah, you just blew it. You cannot be your own witness. This makes your statement void, empty. You're just a braggart.”

Jesus comes back at them, (vs 14, paraphrased) “Yeah, you're right. But, unlike you, I know of what I speak. My memories include the before time, the present and a full awareness of the future. And I know precisely of what I'm capable.”

I remember watching a TV series when I was a kid. The lead character was often heard to quip, “No brag just fact.” (Will Sonnett, “The Guns of Will Sonnett”). When I read statements like the one Jesus makes in our verses today, this quip comes to mind. On first glance it sounds like Jesus is pulling his own chain while yanking the tail of the religious leadership. Jesus isn't bragging, if anything He's watering down the truth. His word created all.

It is into this highly charged environment Jesus throws a Molotov cocktail. (vs 15-16, 17 paraphrased) “Not only am I a true witness, but, should I choose to judge, I don't judge independently, my Father judges with me. Now back to rules concerning testimony. Your rules require two witnesses. Ok.”

“I am one.” (vs 18 MKJV) First there's me and all you've witnessed of me during my time with you. Let's see, do you have enough evidence to confirm my claims? You have followed me around since my somewhat remarkable birth and you've witnessed: Water turned to wine (John 2); Demoniacs healed (Mark 1, 3); Lepers cleansed (Matthew 8, Luke 17); Dead raised to life (Luke 7, Matthew 9, Mark 5); Sight restored (Matthew 9, Mark 8); 1000's fed (Matthew 15, Mark 6); Weather and seas controlled (Matthew 8, 14); Paralytic Healed (Luke 5); and a Woman with issue of blood cured (Mark 5). Also you have heard me and you yourselves have marveled at my teaching. (Luke 2:49, John 7:15) In short, I am my own testimony.

Then Jesus adds that his, “Father who sent Me bears witness concerning Me” (vs 18 MKJV) You Pharisees spied on both John and I. You attended the Jordan River camp meetings. You heard the voice out of the sky and John's testimony of what he'd been told by the Spirit. “And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:10-11 quoted in 2Pe 1:17) "And then while I was with my disciples the Father once again spoke the same words out of a cloud (Remind you of anything?). “And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!' “ (Mark 9:7; Matthew 17:4-5)

Are these two witnesses enough for you?   The two witnesses named, it was now over to the Jewish authorities.

Fellow Christian, what are you and I to do with a fact of life with which we have no argument? We believe Jesus was/is who he claimed to be.

Firstly, from time to time each of us must face and deal with doubts as questions arise. It never hurts to have mileposts we can look back to. The deeds Jesus performed then and continues to perform today inform our faith supplying us with points of memory we may hang onto when things get shaky. Secondly, there are those persons to whom we witness and knowing these facts provides us with the answers we are instructed to have ready. (2Timothy 4:2)

Through my years I have met up with many Christians. I have both observed and participated in discussions concerning various aspects of Jesus' nature and theology. Some encounters and participants too, were so sane as to be academic; others were volatile like a volcano. During early years I often left such discussions wounded and in need of healing or I'd caused the wounds in others. You see, I knew your position as well or better than you and skilled in debate strategy, I could lead you to the trap I'd dug for you. Early in my twenties God's Spirit performed bowie-knife surgery on me over this. He dug in the knife (Word of God) and twisted it for good measure until I squealed in pain over the hurt I'd done in others. So for a long time silence to me was like a recovering alcoholic's refusal to drink even one drink.  If I’d gotten started, I would have done damage again. Now though I've come to realize that, just as our verses show today, Jesus is, “the One Who testifies about [Himself].” Jesus does not need, want or require my defense. In fact, all he commanded is that you and I love one another for, “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35 HCSB) “In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Mat 5:16 HCSB)

Lastly and I hate to say it, there are those professing Christians who, like the Pharisees, use their knowledge to mask their lack of devotion. Arguing with them is futile because their mind is already made up and only those facts that support their chosen view will be accepted. In this case the way to defuse a war is to not show up for the battle. Please let me remind you, Jesus will at the time and place of His choosing enjoin battle and confront them. Today's verses demonstrate this: “I am the One who testifies about Myself.”  For Him it would be “No brag just fact.” For me, oh well.

I have always feared standing at the end of a high-dive board. At the tip of this springy board is where I now stand with all of you watching. It's clear that Jesus is having an in-your-face encounter with a bunch of hypocrites. They'd grabbed a woman out of her bedroom, cut a deal with her partner, and used her as bait in their trap, set for Jesus. Then they'd turned all legalistic about requirements for witnesses. So Jesus 'got in their faces' over it. There are several instances in scripture where Jesus 'whips up on' the Pharisees. He seems only to do it to them calling them hypocrites. Check out Matthew chapter twenty-three almost the entire chapter is devoted to another such confrontation and nothing of humble Jesus is there. I'm reminded of the Greek acting mask with a distinctly different face on each half and this is where the the edge of the diving board comes in. I can list the many ways in which humility is valued by God and the way it impacts our devotion. And I can contrast those with God's attitude toward hypocrisy. I am simply unable to reconcile the in-your-face Jesus with the humble Jesus unless I view Jesus with His God nature and Abba ordered mission in mind. Both James & Peter employ a citation from Proverbs 3:4, “Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6 HCSB, 1 Peter 5:5) Then Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13, “Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said: These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men." (Matthew 15:7-9 HCSB)

Taking this into account Jesus' attitude and behavior are entirely consistent. He is fulfilling the part of Ambassador; speaking as the voice of God, reflecting God's attitudes and speaking His words. In short He is acting in humble submission to God's will. Moses and Pharaoh provide another graphic picture of this same conflict. Pharaoh was resplendent in his attitude, dress and lordship. Moses was, “a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3 HCSB) Yet this humble man stood up toe to toe with the most powerful ruler of his day and spoke the words of YHWH securing the freedom of an entire nation. I've always had the image of the Old Covenant prophets as being bold, brazen and brash. Humility was a hue I never thought to add to their palette.

Yes, humility carries the context of being lowly, poor, and accepting a lower standing or position. Yes, Jesus did not demonstrate a lower opinion of Himself, perhaps it was because as He told the Pharisees, “I know where I came from and where I'm going.” (vs 14) And yet we are instructed to, “Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death--even to death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8 HCSB) There's that word again 'humbled' and it is linked to obedience. I get the impression that obedience is, at least, an expression of humility. Our original quip was almost always the preamble of Will Sonnett's intent. He always went on to promise some outrageous feat. It would seem that Jesus and Will Sonnett have this in common too. Jesus promises, "I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12 HCSB) “No brag just fact!”  

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