Bearing Witness

Bearing Witness

“You sent messengers to John, and he gave his testimony to the truth:  not that I depend on human testimony.”  (John 5: 33)

“Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Isaac asked his father Abraham.  “My son, God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering,” replied Abraham. (Genesis 22: 7-8)  “Behold, the Lamb of God,” said John the Baptist as he pointed to Jesus. (John 1: 37)  God himself has fulfilled the prophecy of Abraham in providing his Son, Jesus as the sacrificial lamb.  John gave his testimony about the Lamb.  The testimony is true and reliable because it was inspired by God.  

Jesus tells us also in John 5: 33 to depend on the word of God as the only testimony to the truth.

John the Baptist paid the supreme price for bearing testimony to the truth.  “Martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith:  it means bearing witness even unto death.  The martyr bears witness to Christ who died and rose, to whom he is united by charity.  He bears witness to the truth of the faith and of Christian doctrine.  He endures death through an act of fortitude.  “Let me become the food of the beasts, through whom it will be given me to reach God.” - St. Ignatius of Antioch (CCC #2473)