To read the texts click on the texts: Acts 5:27-33; Jn 3: 31-36
These
verses contain what some think is John’s final witness to Jesus. Others see
them as the words of Jesus or the Evangelist. If the words are regarded as that
of John, then the “one from above” refers to Jesus and “the one from the
earth”, to John. If they are interpreted as the words of Jesus, then the same
refer to Jesus and the Jewish leaders. In either case, it is clear that Jesus
is the one from above. The testimony of both John and Jesus was rejected by
some to whom it was made. To accept the testimony of John and Jesus is to trust
God, since it is God himself who sent both. While John was sent to bear witness
to the light, Jesus was the light to whom John bore witness. Jesus, having been
sent by the Father, speaks what he has been commanded to by the Father. He has
received the gift of the Spirit and so is able to gift the Spirit to others.
The relationship between the Father and the Son is one of unconditional love.
This love results in the Father handing over all things to the Son. Thus, to
believe in the Son means to have life, to reject the Son means to call death on
oneself.
Whether
we regard the words as those of Jesus or of John, what is striking is that each
witness to the one he has been called to witness to. John was called to witness to Jesus, and he
does this perfectly. Jesus was called to witness to the Father, and he does
this like no one before him could ever do. The lives of both John and Jesus
resulted in many being drawn to Jesus and to his Father.
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