V. 34. But I receive not testimony from man; but these things I say that ye might be saved. V. 35. He was a burning and a shining light, and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
Now Jesus was not in need of testimony from any man, but John's testimony concerning Him had to do with to their salvation. If they had accepted that, it would have been to their own temporal and eternal advantage. They would have been saved by relying upon that message. They have a full chance at salvation now, if they will but heed His reference to that gospel message. Jesus sought no honor for Himself, His object was the salvation of men.
John the Baptist himself, during his lifetime, was a burning and a shining light. His testimony concerning Christ was plain, clear, unmistakable. If they had heeded it, they would have been shown the way to salvation.
Note: Every minister of the Gospel should be a light, to shed forth not his own luster, but that of the Redeemer; not consuming, either others by a zeal without knowledge or himself by a foolish manner of working, but burning in holy love for the Savior and His Gospel; and shining, finding his greatest joy in leading the way to Jesus.
The Jews of that time were willing enough for a season to rejoice greatly in the light of John. It was like the brief play of the moths about the arc lamp, a regular revival-type of religion, with much emotional reveling, but no sound basis of faith. Just so many people in our days may be struck for a while by some aspect of religious work and become most enthusiastic. But when the enthusiasm has burned out, the work turns dark for them, to their own damnation.