Thursday Of The Fourth Week Of Lent (Year B)

Exodus 32:7-14
Psalm 105(106):19-23
John 5:31-47

Scripture emphasizes the importance of witnessing, especially in Jewish tradition, which requires the testimony of two or three witnesses. Deuteronomy 19:15 states, “Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established,” and Proverbs 27:2 advises, “Let another praise you, and not your mouth; a stranger, and not your lips.”

In the Gospel of John, Jesus presents more than three testimonies about Himself:

1. John the Baptist testified to Jesus, calling Him the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29), and prepared the way for Him.
2. Jesus’ miracles serve as His second testimony. He claimed, “The works that the Father has given me… bear witness about me” (John 5:36).
3. God the Father also testified about Jesus. At His baptism, God declared, “This is my beloved Son” (Matthew 3:17), and during the Transfiguration, He said, “Listen to him” (Matthew 17:5).
4. Jesus pointed out that the Scriptures themselves testify about Him, stating, “You search the Scriptures… it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39).

The Pharisees missed recognizing Jesus despite their search. They failed to see Him in the Scriptures and in person.

This leads us to examine our own witnessing: Are we aware of our testimony? Do our actions reflect our faith? Jesus urges us not to merely call Him “Lord” without following His commands (Luke 6:46).

As Charles R. Swindoll said, “Whatever we do, we must not treat the Great Commission like it’s the Great Suggestion.” Let us commit to being true witnesses of the Gospel. Amen.

Fr Joseph Osho