Water, Blood, Spirit

1 John 5:6-9 This is the one who came by water and blood – Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three agree. 9 We accept man's testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.
 
TO the Jews, a man’s testimony is very important to establish the truth. Moses’ law required two witnesses to confirm a legal matter. John uses this credibility of man’s testimony to confirm God’s four testimonies that Jesus is the true Messiah.
    The first testimony of Jesus the Christ is water. The apostle reaffirms his record of John the Baptist’s words in the gospel John 1:26a “I baptize with water,” John replied. Prophets and teachers baptized with water in the Old Testament as a testimony of one’s repentance and non-Jew converts to Judaism. Water throughout Scripture is God’s testimony of creation, holiness, renewal and re-creation.
    The testimony of water connects with Jesus’ role as Messiah. John, the baptizer, baptized Jesus with water to fulfill the law of repentance. Luke 3:21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
    Do you see two other testimonies here? As Jesus came out of the water, both the Father and Spirit testified to Jesus’ deity. With the evidence of water, the Father’s affirmation and the Spirit’s power, Jesus then began his ministry toward the blood testimony. Luke 22:20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Paul reaffirms  in Romans 3:25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice.
    Water, blood, Spirit testify to the Messiah. They are more than man’s testimony. No other man can claim this. John wanted his church to know, to determine with all truth, Jesus is the Messiah. This is God’s legal authority. In water, blood and Spirit, Jesus has paid the cost of your sin.
    With God’s testimony, your testimony is sure. Testify, be a witness to a world who needs to know the Savior. John 3:5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” 
 
Life Thought: Be a testimony. Trust your Lord. Declare your faith.