4th week in Lent, Thursday – 3rd April 2025 – Exodus 32,7-14; John 5,31-47
Baptist’s Testimony
In today’s gospel, Jesus invokes five witnesses to support his equality with God the Father: John the Baptist (5,33), his miracles (5,36), God the Father (5,37), the Scriptures (5,39), and Moses (5,46). The first chapters of the Gospel of John, present the fivefold testimony of John the Baptist. First, John bears witness to Jesus as his messenger and prepares the way for Jesus as voice in the desert (1,15). Second, John points out Jesus and calls him the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (1,29). Third, John testifies that the Spirit descends upon Jesus and remains with him (1,33). Fourth, John bears witness that Jesus is the Son of God (1,34). Fifth, John identifies Jesus as the bridegroom (3,27-30). John becomes the “best witness” by leading the people through baptism and preparing them for the coming of the divine Messiah. In identifying Jesus as the Messiah, he humbled himself as his forerunner and messenger.
