John 5:31-47

Exodus 32:7-14

Psalm 106:19-20, 21-22, 23

John 5:31-47

Jesus said to the Jews:

“If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true.

But there is another who testifies on my behalf,

and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true.

You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.

I do not accept human testimony,

but I say this so that you may be saved.

He was a burning and shining lamp,

and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.

But I have testimony greater than John’s.

The works that the Father gave me to accomplish,

these works that I perform testify on my behalf

that the Father has sent me.

Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf.

But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form,

and you do not have his word remaining in you,

because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.

You search the Scriptures,

because you think you have eternal life through them;

even they testify on my behalf.

But you do not want to come to me to have life.

“I do not accept human praise;

moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you.

I came in the name of my Father,

but you do not accept me;

yet if another comes in his own name,

you will accept him.

How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another

and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?

Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father:

the one who will accuse you is Moses,

in whom you have placed your hope.

For if you had believed Moses,

you would have believed me,

because he wrote about me.

But if you do not believe his writings,

how will you believe my words?”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I believe in you. Help my unbelief. I renew my faith in you as Father, that you are all-powerful and have created all things. I renew my faith in your Son and all that he accomplished as my redeemer. I renew my faith in your Spirit, who sanctifies me and leads me along the path of eternal life.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Five Witnesses and the Books of Moses: In the Gospel, Jesus has just performed his third sign: He healed a paralytic on the Sabbath and claimed equality with God the Father. He has made a powerful claim and now invokes five witnesses to support his claim: John the Baptist (5:33), his miracles (5:36), God the Father (5:37), the Scriptures (5:39), and Moses (5:46). At the end of today’s Gospel passage, Jesus states that Moses will accuse the Jewish people. This is because they have placed their hope in Moses and in the law given by Moses. What they do not see, however, is that Jesus perfectly fulfills what Moses wrote about him in the first five books of the Bible. If we look at Genesis, we see that Jesus is the New Adam. He is the eternal Son of God and the one who will restore the human race. He is the savior promised after the fall (Genesis 3:14). Jesus is the New Abel, the just one who offers a pleasing sacrifice to God. Jesus is the New Noah, who saves humanity from the flood of death by fulfilling the will of the Father. Jesus is the descendant of Abraham, through whom all nations are blessed. Jesus is the New Isaac, the son of Abraham, who is sacrificed for our sins. Jesus is the New Jacob, who calls and appoints twelve men to be his apostles to reestablish the twelve tribes of Israel. If we look at Exodus and Deuteronomy, Jesus appears as the New Moses, chosen by God to lead the people of Israel out of the slavery of sin and death. Moses gave the people the old law; Jesus gives the people the New Law. Moses gave the people manna from heaven and water from the rock; Jesus gives himself as heavenly food and is himself the rock from which flows the water of eternal life. Moses was allowed to see God's back (Exodus 33:23); Jesus beholds the face of God eternally. Finally, God promises to send a prophet like Moses to the people (Deuteronomy 18:15) and Jesus is that prophet (Luke 7:16).

2. The Testimony of John the Baptist: Jesus’ first witness is that of John the Baptist. In the first chapters of the Gospel of John, this testimony is fivefold. First, John bears witness that Jesus ranks before him and identifies Jesus with the Lord (1:15). John is the messenger, the voice in the desert, who prepares the way for Jesus. Second, John points out Jesus and calls him the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (1:29). This recalls the Book of Exodus and looks forward to the fulfillment of the Passover. Third, John testifies that the Spirit descends upon Jesus and remains with him (1:33). Jesus has been anointed by the Spirit and will in turn baptize the people with the Holy Spirit, cleansing them from their sin. Fourth, John bears witness that Jesus is the Son of God (1:34). We saw this theme in yesterday's Gospel: as Son, Jesus accomplishes the works of the Father, giving life to those who believe in him and judging the people and their good and evil actions. Lastly, John identifies Jesus as the bridegroom (3:27-30). As the “best man,” John leads the bride to the bridegroom when the time for the wedding has come. Just as a bride prepares for her wedding with a ritual washing, so John baptizes the people and prepares them for the coming of the divine wedding. “By identifying Jesus as ‘the bridegroom’ and the Messiah, John is also leading the bride, the people of Israel, to her bridegroom” (B. Pitre, Jesus the Bridegroom, 33-34).

3. The Testimony of Jesus’ Works: Jesus also refers to a second testimony, greater than that of John the Baptist, namely, the works the Father gave the Son to accomplish. These divine works – changing water into wine, healing the official’s son, healing the paralytic – testify on behalf of Jesus that the Father has sent him. The Son has been sent by the Father to reveal God and his mysteries, redeem humanity from the power of the devil, and recapitulate all things (CCC 516-518). Jesus reveals the Father and his love for mankind. Jesus redeems the people through his blood on the Cross. Jesus restores us to our original vocation to share in God’s life. In his mission, Jesus does not seek human praise and earthly glory. Jesus seeks only to glorify the Father and bring us to share in that glory.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I welcome in faith all five witnesses on your behalf. I accept that you are the ultimate fulfillment of the Law of Moses and the prophets. I welcome John’s testimony that you are the Lamb of God, the mighty one, and the Bridegroom. I accept the testimony of your divine works. I hear and welcome the voice of your Father who proclaims, “You are my beloved Son.”

Living the Word of God: Our life of faith can ebb and flow. Our faith can be weakened or strengthened. Faith is not a human accomplishment, but rather a divine gift that is welcomed. Pray today for an increase in faith.