Jesus is the Son of God (Friday after Epiphany)

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Introduction

St John tells us that he wrote all these things that we may believe that Jesus is the Son of God. If we believe, then we can overcome the world. But the question is: Do we believe?


Reflection

At the time John wrote, there were individuals or movements that dismissed the reality of the incarnation (God becoming flesh). Some must have also doubted that He was God. And that is why we see that central to John’s writings is the defense of the identity of Jesus as TRULY GOD and TRULY MAN. In an instance (cf. 1 Jn. 1:1), John cited himself as a witness: “That which we have heard, that which we have seen with our own eyes, that which we have looked at and touched with our hands….concerning the Word of Life”. At some other instances, he deemed it necessary to include MORE WITNESSES in order to strengthen and authenticate his defense: that is why he added “the Spirit, the water, and the blood” (cf. 1 Jn. 5:7-8).


Through the Spirit, the water and the blood, God bore witness that Jesus is His Son. At the waters of baptism, as the Spirit descended on Jesus, God bore witness by saying, “This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). “Blood” signifies Jesus’ suffering and death. Shortly before Jesus suffered and died, the Father again bore witness at the transfiguration: “This is my Son, the Beloved; with Him I am well pleased; listen to Him” (Matt. 17:5). While hanging on the cross after the crucifixion as His blood dropped from the cross, a centurion also testified that “Truly this man was God’s Son” (Matt. 27:54). 


In sum, at all these instances (through the Spirit, water and blood) Jesus was confirmed as the Son of God. Now, taking all these witnesses into account, St John establishes that: “The person who can overcome the world is the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 Jn. 5:5). He goes further to say that “Such a person, having believed in Jesus, has eternal life” (1 Jn. 5:12-13).


Believing that Jesus is the Son of God is to believe that He is God. It is to accept His teachings as true and abide by them. It is to believe that Jesus has power over sin, sickness, evil and death. It is to believe that “we can do all things through Him who strengthens us” (Phil. 4:13). The man full of leprosy believed, and he received life (cf. Luke 5:12-16). If we believe, we will not only have life but have it in abundance. Often, the “world” makes way for circumstances that may overpower and break us down. But if we believe that Jesus is God and that He has power over the “world”, then we can overcome the “world” in and through Jesus who strengthens us. DO YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS THE SON OF GOD?      


Prayer:

May I doubt no longer but forever believe that Jesus is Lord and God, Amen!


Have a faith-filled day!             



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