John 3:11-15
You're attending a dinner party at a friend's home. The conversation is general, until you hear the name of your hometown spoken at the other end of the table. You listen carefully to see what the speaker is saying - after all, your family is still there and that is where you grew up. Within minutes you realize this person is misinformed. You ask if he's ever been to your birthplace, and he admits he hasn't. You challenge with a "Well where did your information come from then?" " It's the opinion of someone who has studied the area,", he replies. Who knows the truth - you, or the person with no actual experience of the place, just an opinion?
Jesus came from Heaven to live on earth with mankind. He was the One to go to if you wanted to know about Heaven. In John 3:11 he states, " I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony." This is the equivelent of the dinner party guests believing the guy with no actual experience of your hometown over you - a native!
The mentality wasn't unique to the crowd of Jesus' day. Think of those who would deny the existence of Hell. It's a real place according to the Word of God. Yet, some would believe those that only have an opinion, over the words of our all-knowing God.
In John 3:14 Jesus refers to an incident with the Israelites and Moses (found in Numbers 21:4-9). The Israelites were complaining against God and Moses as they went through the desert. God sent venomous snakes that bit the people and many died. The people were sorry for what they had said and asked Moses to pray for the snakes to be removed. Moses prayed, God led him to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole. Anyone who looked up at the snake on the pole, lived. Those who believed that there must be another way besides the one God gave them, died.
This story from the exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt into the Promised Land was familiar to Jesus' audience. The story was about to take on a new significance in John 3:15. In His death Jesus would be lifted up on the cross, and anyone that believes in Him will have eternal life. The venomous bite of sin would no longer hold death, but would be overcome by Christ!
So, who do we believe? Someone with only thier own opinion, and no first hand knowledge? Or do we believe Jesus Christ - the One who knows the facts intimately?
These verses remind me of our recent women's retreat at church and how we learned that sharing our stories are so important. We need to speak about what we know, and share about what God has done in our life. We are eyewitnesses to His power and peace and joy! What a privilege! Like you said, our story could be exactly what someone else needs to hear. Yes, they might not get what we're saying or accept what we're talking about right then. John 12:32 says "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself". God works in amazing ways. When we testify about what God has done in us and through us, He is lifted up and glorified! When we share a story with a friend or co-worker or neighbor it very well may be what God uses as He draws them to Himself. We may never know the outcome when we share our faith, but Jesus does, the One who knows it all!
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