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Thursday
of the Fourth Week of Lent
Oak
Crest Day of Recollection
March 15, 2018
JESUS’ NON-CLAIM +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø In today’s Gospel Jesus says that his Father’s works testify to his
identity
Ø Jesus’ words = Father’s words; his deeds are the Father’s deeds. His
story is the Father’s story
Ø Tells Pharisees why they should believe in him; it’s not becz he
says so, but becz others testify
Ø Never, I’m
the Christ” becz doesn’t need to
Ø Recall that when he is asked
if he is Christ at his trial, he says, “You say that I am.”
Ø So it’s the testimony of OTHERS that identify
him as the Messiah, the Song of God
Ø Fair enough! So what’s that mean to us?
Ø We need to look to testimonies to assist us in
claiming Jesus as Messiah, as a model for our lives
TESTIMONY OF JOHN +++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø We look to John/Baptist who witnessed to him
Ø Pharisees thought John an impressive prophet, since he fit the idea in
their minds better
Ø He fasted and lived in desert & was killed by the king. It seemed
very strange to them that this holy man testified that Jesus was the Christ
Ø Jesus is reminding them they thought John a prophet, but didn’t believe
his greatest prophecy
TESTIMONY OF JESUS’ WORKS ++++++++++++++++++
Ø Pharisees saw Jesus never sinned; saw healings & miracles; saw sinners
repenting & following Jesus
Ø When J says his works R 1 one of the witnesses, he doesn’t just mean his
miracles, but all he did
Ø Today we C works of J in saints; C sinners live extraordinary lives. Know
someone < at work
TESTIMONY OF THE FATHER ++++++++++++++++++++
Ø (1) John + (2) Miracles + (3) witness is Father
Ø St. Peter didn’t know J was the Christ because he figured it out, but
becz Father revealed it to him
Ø Faith is strongest when there are no reasons behind it, when we simply
believe
Ø There R times when we are so filled with the love of God that, without
being able to explain why, we just laugh at the idea that there is no God
APPLICATION and Conclusion
++++++++++++++++
Ø Which testimony grounds your belief in Jesus?
Ø Recap: (1) John & others, (2) Works, (3) Father
Ø When UR part of a family committed to loving even folks who are
difficult to love, it’s all 3!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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