John 5

Isn’t it interesting that this man doesn’t come to Jesus for healing? He doesn’t even know who Jesus is! What a perfect example of grace. The man wants to be healed, and apparently believes that when the water is stirred it’s an indication that the first one in will be cured (this is made even more explicit in 5:4, which some newer translations don’t include). The fact that Jesus chooses him out of all those waiting is another indication of grace, and the fact that he has been disabled for 38 years speaks to the magnitude of the healing. No water or angel is necessary. Jesus just commands that he take us his bed and walk, so he does!

Now, since work was prohibited on the Sabbath day, the religious authorities had come up with specific definitions of what work was, and had 39 different categories of work. Carrying something from one place to another was one of them. The Jewish leadership doesn’t care about the circumstances. They just care about the appearance and the action. In truth, by carrying his bed the healed man was engaging in an act of worship and obedience! Rather than rejoice that the man was healed, the authorities want to learn who had the temerity to tell him to carry his mat! The man can’t even tell them that.

Jesus comes to him in the temple and gives him a warning. It’s not necessary to believe that the man had sinned before and caused his own suffering. It’s quite possible that Jesus is just making sure that the man understands that even worse things could happen to him if he isn’t willing to obey. We often look at God’s commands as His way of keeping us from having any fun. In reality they are there to keep us out of trouble!

Once the man can point Jesus out to the religious leadership, he does. We might think that’s not a great way to show his gratitude, but I don’t think the man has any concept of why it’s a problem. He simply knows that Jesus healed him, and that he can now point out his Savior to others!

Jesus is always a stumbling block (1 Corinthians 1:23). In our chapter it starts because of what He does, but soon becomes worse because of the testimony of who He is. Some Jewish authorities thought that God’s rest on the Sabbath was absolute and continual. Jesus points out that God continues to work, and that He is joining God in that work. He obeys the Father and does His will, but He also claims authority and equality with the Father. The Son has the ability to judge, to grant life, and to raise the dead, both literally and figuratively. Figuratively, those who are willing to listen and believe obtain eternal life. But there is also a literal and real physical resurrection that will happen for those who believe and follow, and doing what is good comes naturally for those who believe.

Ephesians 2:10 (WEB) “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.”

The religious leadership won’t believe because they refuse to accept both the testimony of John the Baptist and the Scriptures themselves! The law reveals that we are sinners. The sacrificial system points to our need for a Savior. The prophets predict the coming Messiah. All of Scripture points to Jesus, but they refuse to believe, so they stand condemned.

Thought for the day: Moses even pointed in a very specific way to the coming of Jesus, and to the need to believe Him!

Deuteronomy 18:15 (WEB) “The LORD your God will raise up to you a prophet from amongst you, of your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him.”