Thursday Week Four
Reading: John 5: 31-47 ‘If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent.
‘You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?’
Reflection
In this passage we are asked to deepen our belief in Jesus as Son of the Father. He has been sent by His father to make the love of God known to all people and to teach them a new way of living. Jesus reminds his listeners that Moses had pointed to the coming of the Messiah; ‘I will raise from them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything I command. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I, myself will hold accountable.’ (Deuteronomy 18-19) Later, John the Baptist spoke of the one who was to follow him, (Luke 3:16, Matthew 3:11, John 1:27, Mark 1:7) and the people believed him for a while. Jesus clearly states that God the Father has openly declared who he is as Son of the Father, ‘While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ (Matthew 17:5, Matthew 3:17, Luke 9:35) and that the works that he has done through the power of his heavenly father are testimony to who he is as Son of God. He reminds them that the scriptures point to him as bearer of life and that they should only look to him and and his word, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ (John 8:31)
Jesus reminds his listeners that the approval of God is the only approval that matters, this will be offered to them when they live by God’s law of love.
Once again, I am asked to live an authentic gospel life; to keep close to the person of Jesus; to listen to his voice in the core of my soul and to live my life in Him each day.
Prayer
Lord, I thank you for your word that reveals to me that
You are the Son of God, beloved of the Father.
Your many works of love manifest your power and your glory.
I ask forgiveness for the times when I do not know you as my Lord; Deepen my faith O Divine Son of God,
Amen
コメント