Friday, May 13, 2005
CHRIST IS RISEN!
The Virgin-Martyr Glykeria of Heraklea
14th Vigil of Pascha: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Apostle: Acts 5:1-11 Gospel: St. John 5:30-6:2
St. John 5:30-6:2, especially vs. 34: "Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you
may be saved." In reading today's Gospel, one should carefully weigh the Lord Jesus' statement that, "...I say these things
that you may be saved." Let us not overlook the truth that our Savior spoke these things not just to "the Jews" who were
persecuting Him and seeking "to kill Him because He had" healed a paralytic man "on the Sabbath"(Jn. 5:16). No! There
is more! He is saying all this to us: "that [we] may be saved" (Jn. 5:34), "that [we] may have life" (vs. 40). Yes, as we
search the pages of the Bible thirsting for "eternal life," let us hear His caution about the Holy Scriptures: "these are they
which testify of Me" (vs. 39).
First, note that the language of this passage is brimming with words from the courtroom: witness, testify, judgment, true,
believe, accuse, trust. Who is on trial here? The Lord Jesus knew that He was the target of men who were persecuting Him
and seeking "to kill Him" (Jn. 5:18). Why? Because He had violated their sensibilities concerning the Law about how to
keep holy the Sabbath Day (Ex.20:8). Ah, but observe the irony: He is striving to give eternal life and salvation, while
fallen men are doing their best to silence Him by any and all means. So, who is on trial here? Is it not we and all men, who
are inclined to do our own will and to "receive honor from one another, and...not seek the honor that comes from the only
God" (Jn. 5:44)? Five witnesses are called and named in this case: God the Father (vss. 30-32,37), St. John the
Forerunner (vss. 33-35), the works of Christ (vs. 36), Holy Scriptures (vs. 39), and Moses the Prophet (vss. 45-47). Of
course, this trial is not being held in an ordinary human court, but before "the fearful judgment seat of Christ." That change
of "venue" reframes the matter, because the "Judge" has, so to speak, "set aside His judicial robes" in favor of "saving" us
(vss. 34,40,45). The words He speaks here are directed to us as well as to His persecutors and conspirators who sought to
kill Him. They are uttered by Him Who is called the Savior, Jesus Christ. Beloved of the Lord, are we not they who, in
some measure, have heard His invitation to come to Him to receive life (vs. 40)? The case against us may just turn into
deliverance.
The God we address as "Our Father Who art in Heaven," is He not the very Father Who sent the Savior to us (vs. 30)? Has
not Jesus' coming enabled us, yes, even taught us, to say, "Our Father" to God and to "cry out, 'Abba, Father'" (Rom.
8:15)? Beloved, let us not seek our "own will but the will of the Father Who sent [Jesus]," then, to that degree, small as it
may be, we shall have heard the voice of the Father through the Lord Jesus (Jn. 14:9). Knowing that Jesus is the Truth
means that we have "heard" the Father's testimony. So let us heed His call in our hearts and turn to Jesus and live for Him
"that [we] may be saved" (Jn. 5:34).
Let us also look at an icon of the Forerunner John: Is he not both pointing at and looking toward the Lord Jesus? Let us
follow his gaze and obey his call to repent, and we shall be saved. It is the same with all the "works" of Christ. How
blessed we are that the essentials of His works are recorded for us by the Evangelists: "these are written that you may
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His Name" (Jn. 20:31). Let us give
thanks to our Savior and keep His life-saving commandments! Our teachers have instructed us to "behold the image of
Christ in the luminous pages of the Gospel....and [to hear His voice] in the reading of the sacred pages, in Moses, or in the
Prophets, as well as in the Gospels or in the apostolic writings." Let us believe all these witnesses and we shall "have life"
(Jn. 5:40).
Thou was transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God, revealing Thy glory to Thy Disciples in as far as they could bear it.
Let Thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners!