31 "If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. 32 There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid.
33 "You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved.
Jesus knew full well the Jewish authorities would not believe His Words if He testified the Truth regarding Himself. They would have torn their clothes (and did) screaming “Blasphemy”! We find in Matthew the following account:
The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered. Matt 26:63-66 (NIV)
Knowing the hearts and thoughts of all men, He knew who would choose not to believe His Words. Mercifully, rather than having His Words count against the unbelieving hearer, Jesus
often remained silent regarding His identity. The prophet Isaiah prophesized the following about this:
7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 (NIV)
Both Matthew and Peter confirm this in their writings acknowledging that Jesus chose to entrust Himself to Him who judges justly rather than defend Himself to fickle man exhibiting for us great strength and power under restraint:
12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge--to the great amazement of the governor. Matt 27:12-14 (NIV)
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:23 (NIV)
Since His hearers invalidated His testimony, Jesus now produces other witnesses confirming He indeed was sent from God. The Father had born testimony and set His seal on Jesus’ commission by a voice from heaven and by miraculous signs of His presence with Jesus. We find in Mark the Father’s Words expressing His unqualified approval of His Son and His Son’s mission:
10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Mark 1:10-11 (NIV)
“God alone knows the depth and riches of His Godhead, and divine wisdom alone can declare His secrets.” Thomas Aquinas
“When we invent our own ideas of God, we simply create Him in our own image.” Kenneth F. W. Prior
John the Baptist also came testifying concerning the Christ, the Light of all men. He was sent to men to be an additional pointer to our Lord – the One who came to reveal God to man. We find in John:
6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. John 1:6-9 (NIV)
“This he aimed at in all this discourse, to save not his own life, but the souls of others. Christ desires and intends the salvation even of his enemies and persecutors.” Matthew Henry
Jesus’ concern for the salvation of men’s souls was demonstrated through the sending of the Baptist. While Jesus did not need man’s testimony, man needed it- demonstrated by verse 34 of our verses for today – and Jesus pointed to it.
“The Spirit of God first imparts love.” D. L. Moody