DAY #149: John 5:1-17

All Jewish males were required to come to Jerusalem to attend three feasts: (1) the Festival of Passover and Unleavened Bread, (2) the Festival of Weeks (also called Pentecost), and (3) the Festival of Shelters. Though this particular holy day is not specified, the phrase explains why Jesus was in Jerusalem.

Readers familiar with Jerusalem would have known about the Sheep Gate (it is mentioned in Nehemiah 3:1, 32; 12:39). Recent excavations show that this site had two pools with five covered porches. These were open structures with roofs that allowed some protection from the weather. A multitude of sick people lay on the porches. People made pilgrimages to the pool of Bethesda to receive the healing benefit of the waters.

A man laid by the waters there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. Jesus knew how long he had been ill and asked him, “Would you like to get well?” Jesus’ question shows us that he will not force himself upon anyone. He seeks permission before intervening in that person’s life. The man indirectly answered Jesus by telling how he had not been able to be healed because others would get into the water before he did. But in making this statement, the man admitted that he needed help.

Jesus offered help, but not the kind of help the man expected. Jesus simply said, “Stand up, pick up your sleeping mat, and walk.” And the man responded immediately. This miracle should have revealed to the Jews in Jerusalem that the Messiah was finally present, for Isaiah had prophesied this (Isaiah 35:5-6). Instead, they chose to focus on another issue: This miracle happened on the Sabbath day. Presumably, if the waters had been stirred on the Sabbath and he had been healed by getting in, the Jews would not have argued against his healing. But these religious leaders would not allow God in the flesh to break their rules by healing this man directly.

In the continuing exchange between the man who was healed and the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, the man told the Jewish leaders what he could not tell them before: It was Jesus who had healed him. This report triggered the Jews’ persecution of Jesus—a persecution that continued from that day onward. The Jewish leaders were faced with a mighty miracle of healing and a broken rule. They threw the miracle aside as they focused their attention on the broken rule. As is common with those who assume authority that is not rightfully theirs, these leaders instinctively felt their power threatened by Jesus’ actions, thus they resented him.

Jesus was being harassed for breaking Sabbath rules. But Jesus told these leaders, “My Father never stops working, so why should I?” With this statement Jesus challenged the notion that God himself was somehow literally subject to the Sabbath rules. If God stopped every kind of work on the Sabbath, nature would fall into chaos and sin would overrun the world. Genesis 2:2 says that God rested on the seventh day; he rested from the work of creation but began the work of sustaining the creation. God has been at work and continues to work; so does his Son, Jesus. With this claim, Jesus affirmed his equality with God. Furthermore, Jesus was teaching that when the opportunity to do good presents itself, it should not be ignored, even on the Sabbath.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Once again, we see the love and compassion of Jesus on display through the healing of this invalid man. It is unbelievable for me to see the hard heartedness of the Pharisees. They care nothing for the plight of the people. They only cared about their power and position. Lord, may that never be in my life. Remove and pretense of importance. Remove and hypocrisy. Remove thee dross. Make me more like You today than ever before.

And Lord, help me finish strong - continuing Your work until I breath my last. Help me about the Father;s business until you call me home. Lord, I pray that you would find me faithful. I pray that you would find my family faithful. I pray that you would find COV faithful to the call and the tasks you have give us.

"What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God."

Acts 20:24 (MB)

"The Lord said to me: "Search Jerusalem for honest people who try to be faithful. If you can find even one, I'll forgive the whole city." Jeremiah 5:1 (CEV)