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Reflections on the New Testament: The Gospel of John

“Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world,’” John 4:42, NKJV.

We are as the Samaritan woman, who testified of the Lord Jesus and led others to Him, saying, “Come and see….” But salvation is of the Lord. We can be certain of the true salvation of those to whom we have ministered when they say unto us, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” In this we may greatly rejoice, that “we have decreased, but He has increased.”

“Then many came to Him and said, ‘John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.’ And many believed in Him there,” John 10:41-42, NKJV.

What is the sign we now have? The truth. It was sufficient for these men—it is sufficient also for us. Jesus performed signs and wonders because of the Jews’ hardness of heart. In modern times, however, but one sign is necessary: the Word of God (i.e., the truth). The apostle John described Jesus as the Word made flesh—during this time, then, signs were necessary to manifest His power. After His ascension, it was necessary for His disciples to proclaim the Word as truth through persecutions, trials, yes, and signs, until history itself was sufficient for the true Christian to proclaim, “I perform no sign, but all the things spoken about this man were true.” Ultimately, truth proves itself—naturally, smoothly, and simply.

“Jesus said to him, ‘He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean….’” John 13:10, NKJV.
As Christians, we have been cleansed once and for all in the blood of Christ; nevertheless, as long as we walk this earth, it is necessary for us to wash our feet. We are completely clean, but the filth of this world still clings to our weak flesh, therefore we must tread lightly and wash our feet with prayer and earnest study of the Word. Recall that we are not of this world, but of the kingdom of God. God forbid that we should walk the streets of gold with soiled feet!

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