Word to the Wise
Thursday, April 23, 2020 - 2nd Week of Easter - Thurs
[Acts 5:27-33 and John 3:31-36]The one who comes from above is above all. the one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts jhis testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. [John]
I have already spoken of major themes and forms of speech of the Gospel According to John that appear early in the gospel in the encounter with Nicodemus. Contrasts (heaven/earth) and "Amen, amen,..." statements are examples. Two others show up in the last portion that forms the gospel scripture for today: "testimony" and "the one whom God sent." These last two have a direct bearing on our lives as faithful Christians.
Throughout the Gospel According to John there is a kind of "forensic" tone - a courtroom adversarial encounter. "Testimony" and "judgment" appear frequently. Scripture scholars tell us that this probably arose from the bitter disputes in the synagogues from which Jews who accepted Jesus were being expelled. The refusal to accept the testimony of those who were witnesses to his resurrection meant that a judgment would occur. The word, "crisis," in English comes from the Greek word that means "judgment."
In his post-resurrection appearance to the disciples [John 20:21], Jesus tells the disciples, "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." It is now our task to give "testimony" that Jesus is the one whom God has "sent," because we are also "sent" by the same authority! Jesus is the one whom God has sent and we are the ones whom Jesus has sent. Our testimony will certify that God is trustworthy. Our baptismal life is founded on that truth. AMEN