Word to the Wise
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - 4th Week of Lent - Thurs
[Exod 32:7-14 and John 5:31-47]"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." [John]
The discourses that follow Jesus' signs in the Gospel According to John seem often like a musical "fugue" where more than one theme or even the same theme in a different way are in play simultaneously. The major "theme" is simple; Jesus is the one whom God has sent. A second theme is the failure of the Jewish community to accept him. Thus, the discourses seem to have an adversarial tone to them, with the word "testimony" occurring again and again. Some scholars think this is because the community for whom John wrote was experiencing expulsion from their synagogues because of their testimony on behalf of Jesus.
In our own time, it is not a matter of the synagogue but the public forum altogether. Faith has been relegated by many to a private personal realm in our secular USA world. Political power and desire for "security" are taking the place of love of God and neighbor in public discourse. Yes, there are dangers when a distorted "Christian agenda" obtains political power and persecutes non-believers. That distortion is in direct contradiction to Jesus' teachings.
The best testimony to the truth of Jesus as the one whom God has sent is the daily living out of love of God and neighbor. Public servants, no matter at what level they serve, may need to be reminded of the dangers of political power to faith in Christ. AMEN