God’s Testimony about His Son

I was reading through 1 John this morning and a few verses caught my attention in a way they never had before. They are found in chapter 5, verses 9-11. Let’s look at them before I elaborate.

⁹ If we accept human testimony, God’s testimony is greater, because it is God’s testimony that he has given about his Son. ¹⁰ The one who believes in the Son of God has this testimony within himself. The one who does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony God has given about his Son. ¹¹ And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

After I read this, I paused and asked myself this question: Where do we find God’s testimony regarding His Son in the Scripture? It was a question I had never really considered.

The easy answer is to say that it is found throughout the entirety of the Bible. That would be a quick and simple solution. But, as I pondered this, I was struck by the way that John seems to be thinking of something specific. Something that all of his readers would have also known and been able to point to as well.

There are a couple of thoughts that really have been rolling around in my mind after reading this. First, God has given personal, first-hand testimony of who and what His Son is. This is both undeniable and verifiable according to the witness of the Scriptures.

Second, the testimony that God has given is unequivocal in what it declares. There is no life apart from the Son. If we do not have Jesus, we cannot claim any true confidence in our eternal destiny. Without the Son there is nothing resembling hope for what awaits us on the other side of death’s door.

So, what is the testimony that God has given? Is it recorded for us to know? I believe it is. And it is something that I had never associated with what John wrote, until today. It is found in each of the Synoptic Gospels and referenced by the Apostle Peter as well.

Matthew 17:5 (CSB)
⁵ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!”

Mark 9:7 (CSB)
⁷ A cloud appeared, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my beloved Son; listen to him!”

Luke 9:35 (CSB)
³⁵ Then a voice came from the cloud, saying: “This is my Son, the Chosen One; listen to him!”

2 Peter 1:17 (CSB)
¹⁷ For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased!”

What is the testimony that God has given about His Son? That we should listen to Him because Jesus is His Son!

From the words Jesus spoke to the life He lived, all of it is a reflection of the One who sent Him into the world. God, with his own mouth, has given witness to us that His Son deserves to be listened to… and obeyed.