“A Testimony to Believe"
John 19:17-42

“And he who has seen has testified and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.” [John 19:35]
John’s is a testimony to believe. “Testimony” is marturia in the Greek; it is the root for our English word martyr. Martyrs are usually connected with ones who die for their belief. There are many Christian martyrs today, more than ever before.

The Apostle John was not killed for his faith, but he was severely persecuted and tortured. Peter and the other Apostles, however, were. According to historical records, upon Peter’s sentence he requested to be crucified upside down because he did not feel worthy to die like his Lord. Nonetheless John’s “testimony is true” because his life was a witness for Christ, which is the literal meaning of testimony.

“A testimony is a witness, a historical attestation, evidence, judicial or general certification. The word describes a testimony based on what one has seen, heard, or knows.” [Hayford]

There have been many who have died for their beliefs, but what makes the Apostles’ testimony unique was they died for what they saw. They believed in what they empirically saw, heard, and handled. 

They saw Jesus die on a Cross, buried and sealed in a tomb and raised from the dead. And John recorded his witness of those events: “And he who has seen has testified and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.” [John 19-21.] The key, however, is believing, that you may believe. John’s is a testimony to believe.

Many in that first generation died for what they saw, heard, and handled [ref. John 20:27]. And we now receive the blessing of their witness. “Thomas because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” [John 20:29]

We are a blessed generation to be able receive Jesus as Lord through the historical testimony of the Apostles. 

And now, in turn, we can carry on that testimony with Spirit-filled living. Because it is true, the greatest testimony that Jesus is real is a changed life.