John 5:45-47, The Witness of Moses

45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.  46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?" 

Having been somewhat gentle with the Jewish leaders, now Jesus, like a prosecuting attorney, goes in for the kill. The witness Jesus brings against them is none other than Moses himself, the prophet of God the leaders have been basing their arguments on all along. At that time, some Jews thought Moses interceded for them in heaven. Jesus says, however, that Moses stands as their accuser. Moses recognizes that Jesus fulfills the law that he had received on Sinai as the only one who can live by this law. There is only one way to the Father, and it is through Jesus, not Moses. Grace has arrived in the form of the incarnate God on earth and a new covenant is about to be confirmed in his blood. Belief in him leads to eternal life, but because they will not believe in him, they will suffer eternal separation from God. 

In your time of prayer, try praying this one from the Book of Common Prayer, recognizing that the church, just like those Jewish leaders, need prayer to continuously live by the grace of Jesus.  

Gracious Father, we pray for the holy catholic [i.e., universal] Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ they Son our Savior. Amen.