Tailored. What comes to mind when I read that word is a suit. Who comes to mind when I read that word? Pip. You might have to deep dive back to middle school to find a reference to this young fellow. If that dive is effective, Pip will form again into the shape of a young boy Charles Dickens created. Holding the highest position in Great Expectations we see his life unfold from some scary moments on an English marsh toward a London life with expectations. When these expectations first found him through attorney Jaggers Pip was a blacksmith’s apprentice. Are you remembering any of this? The clothes of such an apprenticeship are unsuitable for expectations so off to Trabb the tailor he went. That is how the word tailor is tacked to the walls of my mind.
Look now at 1 John 5:9.
9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. (1 John 5:9–ESV)
I will get back to tailoring in a moment, but before we do that let us delve into this verse. The first phrase, “If we receive the testimony of men…” could also be read: “Since we receive the testimony of men.” John is writing to people who are rather convinced of John’s testimony but whose outlook remains cloudy and in some manner plagued by a lack of confidence. They have accepted Jesus as God first and man second; one who appeared and lived as a Savior in the world. This is the testimony of men about God that they have received. Don’t forget that his readership would not have met Jesus.
John, wanting to lead them into a deeper understanding tells them of a light which shines from higher up and further back. That illumination is better, and he calls it God’s testimony. John and his associates have said things about God, but God has testified about Jesus, whom he sent as well. Perhaps to better consider this let your mind go back to the baptism of Jesus. John the Baptist did it, but God the Father sent the dove and the voice stamping approval on the whole event.
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