Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
(Exodus 32:4-14; John 5:31-47)
The gospel of John was probably completed at the end of the
first century or the beginning of the second.
It was a time of Christian persecution at the hands of Jewish
reformers. The writer of the gospel promoted
Christian perseverance because some former Jewish members were returning to the
faith of their ancestors. He also hoped
to boost Christian morale and to attract Jews living outside Palestine to join
Christian ranks.
To accomplish these objectives in today’s passage, the
author pictures Jesus debating with “the Jews.” He gives evidence of a trifold
testimony to Jesus. First, he says that John,
the baptizer testified to Jesus in the desert.
Then he attests that Jesus’ work, that is, his miracles, testify to his
being sent from God. He also points out
that that the Scriptures themselves, both Moses and the prophets, foretell his
coming.
We too live in a time of Christian persecution. In places like China and Iran the persecution
is violent. In other places the Church
is being unfairly judged and disdained. We
can offer testimony to Jesus by our common prayer and our acts of mercy done in
emulation of him.
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