The “Case” of the Three Witnesses – Part 3
January 2, 2005
Dear Friends:
Last week we left off with a hunch that there might be a payoff in examining the three cases where God speaks in the New Testament concerning His Son.
The first instance in Matthew 3 is very familiar to us and occurs at the baptism of Jesus. God says “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
The second occurrence is also well known to us as the Transfiguration in Mark 9. The account says “And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.” We get another break in that we have already solved the case of the Transfiguration so it doesn’t trip us up. We know that when Jesus tells the disciples that “there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God” he is in fact referring to Peter, James and John witnessing the vision of Kingdom that we call the Transfiguration. Again, God speaks from heaven to the three Apostles and tells them that Jesus is His son and to listen to him.
The final account is less familiar than the others, but we can, with a quick reading of John 12, get the context. Verses 12 and 13 read “On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Of course everyone knows this story and we know that it is just before Jesus is to die on the cross at his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
We go onto find that Andrew and Philip are speaking to Jesus when he begins to tell them about his impending death. Jesus says “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name.” At this point, we hear God speak. He says “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” Simple deduction tells us that the “it” God is referring to is His Name. God speaking was heard by the crowd and Jesus tells them “This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John adds “This he said, signifying what death he should die.”
So we have God speaking from heaven three times: at Jesus’ baptism, at the Transfiguration and just prior to the crucifixion.
It looks like we are about ready to solve our case which we will do, Lord willing, next week.
Have a great week!
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