Jesus Christ: The Source of Truth and Salvation

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Thursday of 2nd Week of Easter, Year B, April 15th, 2021
Texts: Acts 5:27-33; Ps. 34:2.9.17-20; John 3:31-36

Jesus Christ is the source of truth about God and salvation. He is the source of truth about God because He is from God the Father. Since He is from God the Father, He has seen Him, heard from Him, and known Him; whatever He says about Him is true. Hence, He says, “He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony".
Jesus' testimony about God is superior to that of others, for every other persons that speak about God are from the earth while He is from above and He is above all. This brings to mind the words in the letter to the Hebrews: "At many moments in the past and by many means, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our time, the final days, he has spoken to us in the person of his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom he made the ages. He is the reflection of God's glory and bears the impress of God's own being" (1:1-3a). If we want the truth, we are to approach Jesus and believe His testimony. When we accept His testimony, we come to know the truth about God and also become witnesses to the truth. He says, "he who receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true". The knowledge, here, is that of personal encounter. This means when we believe His testimony, we will have personal knowledge of God; His testimony is the revelation of God Himself to us. Put differently, God reveals Himself to us in Jesus Christ, His Son; we encounter God in Him. This explains the boldness of the apostles in the first reading. They had received the testimony of Jesus and had come to know that God is true. Hence, they say, "We must obey God rather than men." We come to know, through the apostles, what it means to receive the testimony of Jesus. It means firm commitment to Jesus Christ and His gospel values.
Jesus is the only one that can lead us to God the Father; since He is from Him, He knows the way to Him. Hence, He says, "I am the Way ; I am the Truth and Life. No one can come to the Father except through me" (John14:6). He is the Way that leads to salvation, for salvation belongs to God. He, Himself, is the source of salvation, for He says, "the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him.” This means the faith in Jesus Christ wins us salvation; in Jesus Christ, salvation is sure.

Lord Jesus, we thank You for revealing to us God the Father, and the way of salvation, grant that we may accept Your testimony and gain salvation.  Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke