"If I
testify on my own behalf, my testimony cannot be verified. 32 But there is another who testifies on my
behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true. 33 You sent emissaries to John, and he
testified to the truth. 34 I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you
may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to
rejoice in his light. 36 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. 37 Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you
have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 and you do not have his
word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the scriptures, because you think
you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. 40 But you do not want to come to me to have
life."
On
the Sabbath, Jesus cured a man who was ill for 38 years and told him to, “Rise,
take up your mat, and walk (Jn. 5:1-9).” When the Jews found out they persecuted Jesus
for curing the man on the Sabbath (Jn. 5:16).
Jesus told them, “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work (Jn.
5:17).” This provoked the Jews because
Jesus was making himself equal to God which was blasphemy. Jesus defended his actions.
According
to the Law, Jesus could not testify on his own behalf (Jn. 8:12-13; Deut.
19:15). Jesus pointed to four
witnesses. (1) Jesus reminded them that
they had sent messengers to John the Baptist and heard his testimony (Jn.
1:19-28). John also testified that Jesus
was the one they were expecting (Jn. 1:29-34).
(2) Jesus pointed to his works among them as greater testimony (v. 36). Those works could only have been done by someone
sent from God, 'If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do
anything (Jn. 9:33).” (3) Jesus called
upon the testimony of the Father and told them that they had never heard God’s
voice, seen Him or possessed His word (vv. 37-38). (4) The scriptures testified on his behalf and
spoke of the coming of the Messiah, but the Jews studied the scriptures with
the belief that they could have life through the scriptures. They would not accept the one God sent through
whom they could have life. Since they would
not receive the one God sent, they condemned themselves.
Almighty
God, we thank you and we praise you for the gift of faith which you so gratuitously
shower upon us. Help us to study your
word and understand it as you intend so we can more deeply believe in your Son
and be made worthy of his promises. This
we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Expanded Edition, Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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