Introduction

Your testimony about Jesus is more important than you know.

It is not just a personal connection-point between you and God; it is also an open door for others to have a personal connection-point with God.

Testimony softens hearts and captures intrigue.

Testimonies in John 1

When we think of John 1, we often gravitate to the prologue (vv.1–18):

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

John 1:1–2

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:3–5

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

John’s prologue is beautiful and theologically rich. But it is also deeply purposeful. In fact, John’s entire Gospel is purposeful, and he tells us what that purpose is in 20:30–31:

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 20:30–31

John’s entire Gospel is a testimony about Jesus so that the reader might believe. But he doesn’t just include his own testimony. He also incorporates the testimony of others, and we see these in chapter 1.

John the Baptist’s Testimony

The first testimony we encounter within the story is John the Baptist. John the Evangelist (the name given to the writer to distinguish him from John the Baptist) described the Baptist as a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light (John 1:6–8).

Later in the chapter, the Baptist discusses his identity with a delegation sent from the religious leaders in Jerusalem (vv.19–28). The Evangelist chooses to describe this interaction as a “testimony” (v.19). In this testimony, the Baptist confesses that he is not the Messiah, but someone else will arise after him who greater than he is. The delegation seems perplexed.

Jumping down to vv.29–34, the Baptist is with his disciples by the Jordan river when Jesus walks by. The Baptist testifies look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I meant when I said ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me. (John 1:29–30).

Such a proclamation is intriguing, but the Baptist continues to testify even further about what he means:

Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

John 1:32–34

John the Baptist’s purpose was, in part, to baptize with water so that the one who comes after him might be revealed to Israel (cf. John 1:31). What happens next indicates John’s purpose was about to be fulfilled. His testimony was taken seriously by (at least) some of those who heard it. The Evangelist writes:

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

John 1:35–39

Andrew’s Testimony

Two of the Baptist’s disciples inquired about Jesus and followed Him. One of those men was Andrew, the brother of Simon. After his experience with Jesus, Andrew found his brother and testified We have found the Messiah… and he brought him to Jesus (John 1:41–42). During their time together, Jesus looked at him [Simon] and said “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas (which, when translated, is Peter) (John 1:42).

The Baptist’s testimony lead to Andrew’s inquiry and ultimate following of Jesus, which lead to Andrew bringing his brother to Jesus, which lead to his brother having an encounter with Jesus that he would later testify about (cf. Acts 2:14–41).

Philip’s Testimony

The final testimony-chain is from Philip to Nathaneal. Jesus “calls” Philip to “follow” Him (v.43). Philip’s encounter with Jesus lead him to find Nathaneal and have the following exchange:

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.

John 1:45–46

Nathaneal’s Experience

Nathaneal’s interaction with Jesus is the most descriptive, as if the other testimonies have been building towards it:

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

John 1:47–51

Jesus illustrates His super-natural knowledge, and Nathanael is blown away. He confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, the king of Israel. After Nathaneal’s confession, Jesus says you will see greater things… you will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

This is a blended reference to the Old Testament. It includes (1). Jacob’s ladder, the vision Jacob had when he fled from his brother Esau to his uncle Laban (cf. Gen. 28:10–22); (2). Daniel’s apocalyptic vision of a son of man before the Ancient of Days (cf. Dan. 7:13). Together, these references communicate the coming experience of God’s presence with His people, power, glory, and authority over creation. The fascinating thing, is that, while Jesus is responding to Nathaneal, His proclamation that greater things will be seen is given to all who are present. The “you” in both you will see greater things and you will see heaven open in v.51 are plural.

All who are there receive this profound news, and they were all there because of someone else’s testimony.

Conclusion

The Church of Christ has grown because of testimonies. We experience Jesus, and we testify about Him. Your testimony not only reinforces your faith by reminding you of God’s goodness, it also allows someone else to see the potential of Jesus in their own life. We want our testimonies to proclaim the truth of Christ, so that others may be brought to Him and believe. Our testimonies should be followed with the invitation “come and see” just as Jesus told the Baptist’s disciples and Philip told Nathaneal. This creates a chain-reaction, where multiple lives are changed by being brought back into life with God. Not everyone will believe, but some will, and they will become children of God (cf. John 1:10–13).

Be encouraged. Stand strong in your faith. And testify to the risen Christ, the one who takes away the sins of the world and is making all things new.

Happy Bibleing!