And he that saw it bear record, and his record is true, and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. John 19:35
The first time I watched a trial in a courtroom, I was surprised to see the Crown prosecutor stop one of the witnesses who was beginning to relate a conversation he had with someone involved in the case. The prosecutor told the witness that, unless the accused person was present during the conversation, nothing about that conversation can be disclosed in court. Such conversation is called ‘hearsay’, and has no value as evidence. But there is something that courts place a high value on, and that is anything that witnesses actually saw happen. That is what John is talking about in today’s text; he is relating something that he actually saw happen. He was not relying on something that somebody told him. He was there at the time, and can verify that he has his facts straight. When we read John’s account of the crucifixion, we have the benefit of an eye witness record.
Of the four Gospel writers, only John was actually at the cross. Of the four Gospel writers, only John records that a soldier took a spear and pierced Jesus’ side. And it is immediately after that piercing, and the outflow of blood and water, that we have John’s declaration that his record is true. This detail is so important that John is compelled to verify its accuracy. His verification is an excellent example of how the Word of God confirms itself. What John witnessed was in direct harmony with prophecy concerning the death of Christ. John confirms the prophecies. He also provides the detail concerning the blood and water, with all of its implications. Medically, it proves the depths of the agony of our Lord, and proves the accuracy of the account of His death. Spiritually, it provides us with the completeness of the shedding of blood of our Sacrifice. And all of it is true, as John witnessed on that day.
Not all of the human writers of Scripture include a specific verification as John does. But the verifications, whether specific or implied, provide you and me with the comfort and assurance that the Book we treasure is reliable and accurate. We have a God Who desires that we know the truth, and He assigned John to make sure that we receive it. -Jim MacIntosh