THURSDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF LENT- YEAR-A

I Reading: Exodus 32:7-14: Do not bring this disaster on your people.

Gospel: John 5:31-47: You place your in Moses; Moses will be your accuser.

The Five Witnesses to Jesus’ Authority and Power, Jn 5:31-39.

There are five witnesses to Jesus’ authority.

1.    One’s own testimony is unacceptable (v.31)

2.    The witness within: the Spirit (v.32)

3.    The witness of John the Baptist (v.33-35)

4.    The witness of miraculous works (v.36)

5.    The witness of God Himself (v.37-38)

6.    The witness of the Scriptures (v.39)

The Rejection of Jesus’ Claim, Jn 5:40-47.

People reject Jesus’ claim to be “equal with God” (Jn 5:18). Jesus gave six reasons for their rejection.

1.    People refuse to Christ (v.40-41)

2.    People do not love God (v.42)

3.    People accept false messiahs (v.43)

4.    People seek the approval and honour of mere people (v.44)

5.    People do not believe prophecy- do not believe Moses’ writings (v.45-46)

6.    People do not believe the words of the Messiah (v.47)

Thought: How many acknowledge Christ as a great and honourable man yet treats Him as a liar, a man whose testimony and claims are totally untrustworthy?  (Jn 12:48; 14:24; 1Tim 6:3-4; Jn 8:51; 14:15; 1Jn 2:3)

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