“The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what He has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.” (John 3:31-33)
When the apostle John is writing about Jesus, he does so as an eye witness: “That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you” (1 John 1:3). John does not know Jesus by hearsay, but gives us firsthand information. This gives his book and letters credibility.
The same phrase is used about Jesus here. He comes from heaven as an eye witness of heavenly things. After all, He is “the only God, who is at the Father’s side” (John 1:18) and has been with God from eternity (John 1:1). His words are trustworthy and authoritative. But when He describes God’s salvation plan, “no one accepts his testimony”.
Jesus testifies that God offers people eternal life in his Son (1 John 5:11). We have seen this in Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus and in many other places. This is the core message of the Gospel! When people don’t believe this message, they make God a liar, it says in 1 John 5:10. God takes this very seriously. People who don’t believe Jesus’ message, will never have eternal life and cannot get away from God’s anger.
Do you believe Jesus’ testimony? Do you share it with others?