Are You Witnessing Enough For Christ?

Exodus 32:7-14
John 5:31-47

Witnessing is a major theme in sacred scriptures. In today’s gospel Jesus says, “If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true.”
Just as scripture tells us; only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established,” Deuteronomy 19:15.. The Book of Proverbs 27:2.tells us that Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips,”

JOHN THE BAPTIST AS A WITNESS

Christ laid bear the evidences that points to Him as the Son of God. He says that John the Baptist bore witness about Him. He was a burning and shining lamp, and they were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.” John the Baptist was the one who went before Jesus and made “straight the way of the Lord.” John the Baptist was the one who, when he saw Jesus, said to his disciples, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:22-23, 29.

THE MIRACLES CHRIST PERFORMS

In like manner, The miracles Jesus performed, were miracles like no other; the ones that no one had ever seen before, they testified that Jesus came from God. In them we have a second witness about Jesus. But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.” (John 5:36).

SACRED SCRIPTURE ATTESTS TO HIM AS THE MESSIAH

In addition, Jesus says in John 5:30, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life and it is they that bear witness about me…”Jesus made that comment more than once, that the Old Testament scriptures testified about him. On the road to Emmaus, after his resurrection, he opened the scriptures and explained this to Cleopas and his traveling companion. “…beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:13-35.

HIS LIFE, MISSIION AND MINISTRY

In his three years of public ministry The Father, the God of the universe, the Creator Himself audibly testified about Jesus. Jesus said, “…the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me.” BAPTISM:This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” He said when Jesus rose up out of the water during John’s baptism. Matthew 3:13-17. TRANSFIGURATION:This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him,”Matthew 17:1-8 And GETHSAMANE: finally in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus’ Father answered Jesus’ prayer, directly and audibly when Jesus said, “Father glorify your name.” And God, his Father answered, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” John 12: 27-30.

MOSES BORE WITNESS TO JESUS

At the transfiguration of our Lord, we recall that while he was at prayer together with three of his disciples on the Mount, he was transfigured and there appeared before them Moses and Elijah speaking to Him. In fact, Jesus said that in the end, Moses, would be the one to judge those disbelieving Jesus. Because Moses wrote of Jesus. And Jesus said, “…if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

MOSES: AN EXEMPLARY FIGURE FOR THE SEASON OF LENT

In today’s first reading taken from the book of Exodus. While Moses was praying and receiving instructions from God, the Lord revealed to him the death that is about to befall the people due to their unfaithfulness and idolatry. Moses interceeded on behalf of the people. He asked that God should remember his promises to their fathers and not bring down his anger upon the people whom God has chosen as his own. We too can turn our prayer intentions towards God to have mercy upon sinners and give us the strength we need to take up our crosses and follow Him.

ARE YOU WITNESSING ENOUGH?

So the Pharisees were looking, but not seeing. What about us? Are we looking for something lost in the darkness without putting on the light? Who do we bore witness to and do you know how important this could be for your salvation ? The works of our hands do they bear witness to God? Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what He says Luke 6:46, Do our actions and deeds show that we are truly Christians?

This Lent, as every Lent, we are invited to journey a bit closer to the Lord, to open our hearts anew to the challenge of responding as disciples.  Can we really let God love us?  If we do, we can’t help but be changed – and change is never easy. May our life be a true witness for Christ. Amen

Fr Joseph Osho