John 5:18

The Jewish leaders are extremely offended not only by what they perceive to be Jesus’ careless disregard for the sanctity of the Sabbath, but even more so for the audacity of calling God his Father and, in their eyes, making himself equal to the Almighty.  Their intentions toward Jesus become even more murderous.  John 5:18 EFP

The list of offenses against Jesus is growing daily. Steadily the disdain has turned to hatred and is quickly morphing into murderous intent.  Why?  In short, they fail to understand why Jesus violates the rules about the Sabbath by healing a person who has lived a life of bondage to a physical condition that prevents him from enjoying any semblance of a quality of life.  The life of a disabled person in those days is deplorable!  But how could they object to helping someone on the Sabbath?  They so narrowly define the Sabbath under the weight of rules that it no longer allows for humanitarian aid to someone in need.  A rule trumps a need.  A policy is more important that a person.  Inconceivable!

The second objection is even more outrageous.  They do not like the fact that Jesus calls God his Father.  What?  Seriously?  Are they not versed in Scripture?  King David refers to God as his Father at least two times (read Psalm 2:7 and Psalm 89:26).  Do they never address God as their father?  Is addressing God as King David does reserved for him alone? 

I cannot help but see the same narrow-minded mentality today, one that is willing to surrender the core of what it means to be Christian in the quest to defend what is often a point of disagreement on a doctrinal issue.  Enough of this!  I pray God gives me the wisdom to abandon a fight over a doctrinal point rather than belittle or berate a sincere child of God who may not see things as I do. I fear I may not find many who share this conviction.

John 5:17

In response to their obvious disdain over his healing on the Sabbath he informs his detractors, “My Father is always at work.  Always has been—always will.  He works every day, and thus I continue to work as well.” John 5:17 EFP

Jesus cuts to the chase in words that will ripple for some time in the mind of his listeners.  He states a truism—“My Father is always at work.”  Of course!  If he were not always at work as life-giver, sustainer, and provider, we would all be dead.  Work ceases on this planet for a day at the end of creation, but that does not mean God ceases his labor in the universe (including the earth!).  God is love, but He is also life.

God is always at work.  He never ceases.  He never slumbers.  He never sleeps.  It’s a mind-blowing thought; God has been at work forever.  His very essence is work.  My God is defined by his acts—his righteous acts.  Jesus simply lives out his Father’s character during his time walking among us.  It doesn’t matter what day it is, he will take the time to stop and heal, help, or hold a broken soul.  I am encouraged because I need that kind of 24-hour supervision…even on the Sabbath.

John 5:16

Once the Jewish religious leaders find out Jesus is behind these Sabbath healings, they actively begin to make his life difficult. John 5:16 EFP

Go figure!  A man has just been healed of a life-long ailment and restored to full health.  A physically, emotionally, and spiritually bankrupt soul is now given a second chance at a full and fruitful life.  Amazement and praise is on everyone’s lips because of the miracle witnessed by the pool. But the religious leaders can do nothing but complain and plot against Jesus.

What is their objection?  Are they really so concerned about the sanctity of the Sabbath?  Are they so consumed by pithy jealousy or religious zeal?  Is their passion for Sabbath so strong as to cause them to overlook so touching a miracle?  Do I do the same?  Sadly I can remember days gone by when I was quick to discard any “miracle” by those I perceived as charlatans simply because they were of a different faith.  How sad!  No doubt there are charlatans, dare I say, even in my our community of faith, but ought I not to praise God when extraordinary events take place that change lives and bring glory to my heavenly Father?  After all, people are most important to God.  I am also reminded the Sabbath was made for people, not the other way around.  I do well to remember that today. 

John 5:15

Wouldn’t you know it—the man leaves the encounter with Jesus and notifies the Jewish leaders the name of the person that had healed him.  Now he knows his name—Jesus! John 5:15 EFP

Wouldn’t you have done the same thing?  There is no malice in the healed man.  He has no desire to bring harm to the very man who healed him.  He honestly did not know Jesus’ name a few minutes prior.  But he is subsequently questioned by the authorities and now he is simply doing his civic duty.

But there is already an underlying agenda developing with the powers that be.  The man is not the only one who makes note of the name—Jesus.  The same name elicits two diametrically opposed responses.  To the religious leaders the name is beginning to take on a threatening dimension.  Suspicion, derision, resistance, and resentment will in time give way to murderous results. 

But now one special man, once disabled and despondent, also knows his name.  Jesus.  I imagine it is not the last time he mentions that name.  He has a personal story, irrevocably intertwined with the man who delivered him from bondage.  Gratitude, relief, wonder, and sheer joy produce in him a passionate desire to share the good news with anyone willing to listen.  I have to ask, “Where is my passion?”  Does the name of Jesus elicit such a response in me today?  Yes, it does!

John 5:14

Later that day Jesus finds the man while in the temple.  He approaches him and says, “Take note, you have been restored.  Change your foolish ways lest you risk something worse happening to you.” John 5:14 EFP

Unlike the times Jesus either says, “Your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2) or “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11), this time Jesus says something quite different.  He literally says, “No more sin, that no worse to you something happens.”  You can’t get around it even in Greek!  But what did Jesus mean?

I grew up hearing the explanation that bad things happen to people who sin.  It was clear, concise, and convenient.  It was easy to identify the sinners because they were the ones with bad things happening to them.  But the older I got the less sense this made.  It was even a bit contradictory (Read John 9:1-3) to other statements made by Jesus. 

Can it be that Jesus tells all of us who have been largely spared the consequences of our misdeeds that we should change our ways or the laws of cause and effect cannot be avoided indefinitely?  The man must have suffered his disability as the result of some carelessness or past folly.  He receives a second chance from Jesus.  What else would Jesus say to him (and to us)?  Life can be cruel.  Consequences are often tragic and indiscriminate.  Stop living in a state of rebellion or life may have some effects that make any past unsavory results pale by comparison. I am the first to admit I have been largely spared the consequences of the folly of my checkered past.  But have tasted enough bitter pills to remind me how blessed I am.  I do not want to waste the new opportunity God gives me every day. I hear you, Lord.

John 5:13

An unexpected problem quickly becomes apparent.  The man who is the recipient of the miracle has no idea who his healer is.  Jesus has quickly slipped away into the crowd of “Lookie Lou’s” that gather to gawk at the previously disabled man who now stands in their midst with no evidence of his past sickness other than his raggedy ol’ sleeping mat.  The fact is Jesus is still there amongst the crowd admiring the developments from a distance.  John 5:13 EFP

Do you know Jesus can’t keep his eyes off of you!  He considers you his masterpiece—a work of art.  It does not matter to him that you may still look a little raggedy on the outside or rough around the edges; he still likes to admire you like a father who has just taught his little child to ride a bike for the first time.  He can watch forever.

Can you see him peering between the heads of those in front of him? Smiling?  He may have even chuckled at the predicament of the man who he has just healed.  The man is so caught up in what happened to him he does not even noticed when Jesus slips away.  But Jesus does not leave; he stays close enough to see his miracle on two legs confront the doubt and denigration launched in his direction. 

I know Jesus also has his eyes on me!  He’s never far away admiring what I do with my new-found salvation.  I find comfort in the thought that Jesus, the one who began the good work in me is never far away.  Like the classis Gospel song says, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know we watches me….”  I believe it!

John 5:12

The interest of the Sabbath Squad is piqued.  “Who is this fellow who has the audacity to ask you to pick up your mat on the Sabbath” they inquire with more than a smidgen of doubt in the man’s credibility.  John 5:12 EFP

How is it possible that we fail to appreciate the miracle because we are too busy focusing on appearances?  It’s not just the sanctimonious saints in this passage who doubt the genuineness of the handiwork of God in the life of person because they do not seem to be acting according to our expectations.  Does a choice of dress or hairstyle, or even an ill-placed tattoo trigger our inner judge and jury? 

I can imagine the negative impact these thinly-veiled accusations had on this “new-born” saint.  He doesn’t yet understand the rhyme or reason of his new-found freedom.  They are not interested in his story or any alleged miracle. They miss the God-given miracle and focus on man-made regulations.  Does it sound familiar?  Does the sanctimonious robe fit?  Be careful, we’re not in good company.

John 5:11

The man is stunned.  He quickly answers, “I was just lying on the ground unable to move when a man I had never met comes up to me and gives me back the use of my legs.  He is the one who told me, ‘Pick up your mat and move along.’ So I did.”  John 5:11 EFP

Go ahead…blame God.  He gets blamed for most every tragedy and injustice in this world, I am pretty sure He is willing to take the blame for any good that happens to you.  This isn’t the case for the most part—we seem to reserve any blame assigned to God to the bad things that come across our path.  The good that is sent our way we often credit to good fortune or good luck.  How sad!

So go ahead, if something happens in your life that is just plain amazing or totally fascinating or incredibly enriching or simply heart-warming, blame God!  He’s the one behind all the good that comes into your life.  He is the one who rescued you from certain and final death.  He is the one who blesses you with health.  He is the one who sprinkles your days with sunlight, hugs from a friend, kisses from a child, and gentle autumn breezes.  When someone tries to throw a wet blanket on any miracle or blessing God has bestowed on you—as large or small as it may be, don’t just stand there.  Speak up!  Tell the accuser, “It’s all God’s fault.  He’s the one responsible for giving me everything that is good in my life!”  He has no answer for a heart full of joy.  Be a witness!

John 5:10

The healed man is soon confronted by the Jewish Secure the Sabbath Sacredness Squad. “It’s the Sabbath!” they cry out. “What are you doing?  You shouldn't carry your mat during the sacred hours of the Sabbath!”  John 5:10 EFP

For every person that walks away from a God-given new beginning carrying the remnants of the past, there is another who fails to see a miracle at all and merely focuses on any violation of protocol and propriety.  God has just freed this man from a life of despair and disability.  Legs that don’t work at all hours ago are now walking and carrying a load to boot!  God gives him the ability to walk.  He chooses to carry the burden.  The “propriety patrol” overlooks the walking miracle and decides to set the man straight—he is a law-breaker!  A sinner!

What voice do I hear when I am delivered from my past?  Do I respond to the voice of condemnation or the words of healing and salvation?  They both compete for my attention.  Jesus says, “Ruben, you are healed!”  The evil one shouts, “You are wretched!  The Great Healer declares, “You are restored!”  The Accuser replies, “You are lost and condemned!”  I have to choose daily what voice to believe. 

John 5:9

No sooner does Jesus speak, the man is totally healed.  He immediately picks up his mat and walks away.  By the way, this all takes place on a Sabbath day.  John 5:9 EFP

I can’t help but see a microcosm of salvation taking place in this scene.  Jesus says the word and immediately the broken is restored; the stricken is healed; the crippled is enabled.  The healing is immediate and complete!  The man previously condemned to a life of frustration and disappointment picks up and packs up the remnants of his past life and simply walks away.  Jesus tells the man to pack and pick up his mat and walk, I don’t think he intended the man to hang on to his baggage.

Do you find it odd that John mentions it is the Sabbath?  I don’t.  The Sabbath is intended to be a day of rest—a day to leave your burdens behind.  The man chooses to carry his burden with him.  What is he going to do with his filthy and raggedy possessions?  Perhaps what I do with the reminders of our past—I often carry them with me.  Why?  What purpose do they serve?  Jesus delivers me from my past.  Period!  And what do I often do?  I choose to carry my past with him.

When Jesus declares you healed—leave your malady behind.  It’s the Sabbath…rest.

John 5:8

“Well then,” Jesus responds, ignoring his whining, “Get up, man!  Roll up your sleeping mat; pick it up and begin to walk.  You are healed!” John 5:8 EFP

Jesus, and the Gracious Father he came to reveal, created us to be healthy and whole.  Sin and all its side-effects have marred our world, our lives, our marriages, our hearts.  We are the result of our original parents’ misguided choice and our life-long pattern of imitating their folly.  Sin has left us in a pathetic state of atrophy—spiritual, mental, and physical.  It doesn’t really matter what kind of malady has done its dirty deed on us; we are squirming in our own filthy and helpless condition.

Is it that easy though?  Is a word from the Word sufficient to bring me healing?  It seems clear from this story that Jesus is anything but unwilling and unable to heal.  The weakness and self-defeating mindset comes from me.  Jesus has unsurpassed power behind his words.  “Get up!” he says to me.  “I created you to walk.”  “I don’t care how you got here or why you are still here, I just know that I am here at my Father’s request and you were made for walking!”  All that remains to be heard is the crippled man’s—and my response to God’s enabling. 

John 5:7

“What?  Are you talking to me?” the disabled man replies. “Mister, if I could get myself into the water I would do it on cue in a split second!  But I can’t, and there is no one around here willing or able to help pull me and throw me into the pool when the angel stirs the water.  In spite of my best efforts to get in, someone inevitably gets there before I do.”  John 5:7 EFP

Isn’t that just like us?  Instead of saying, “Yes, of course I want to be healed!” we focus on all the reasons we can’t or we don’t or we won’t or we haven’t gotten better.  It is easy to identify the reasons we fester in our wretched condition.  We merely have to look around and see the evidence.

But Jesus is asking me, “Do you want to feel whole? Fulfilled? At peace? Complete?  Well?” He already knows the whys and hows of my present state.  He wants to know if I’m tired enough to consider an option I haven’t considered in the past.  I certainly can’t make myself better.  I tried.  I don’t heal. I can’t forget.  I don’t recover.  The reminders of my failure and my pain are all around me.  But the Healer does not waiver from his one question to me that thinly veils his ultimate desire, “Are you ready to get better?”

John 5:6

When Jesus enters the area with sick people in all directions, he notices this certain man lying there and finds out that the man had been in this prone position for a long time.  He approaches him and asks him, “Do you want to get well?”  John 5:6 EFP

What would you answer Jesus if He asked you, “Do you want to get well?”  It might not be as obvious as this man lying on his back, but we all have something that weighs us down visibly or haunts us deep-down in the recesses of our heart.

Is Jesus asking you today, “Have you had enough? Do you want to let go of your pain? Do you want to release the guilt?  Do you want to feel true peace for the first time in forever?”  He would only ask if he was willing and able to do something about it.

Jesus notices me…specifically.  He knows my pain.  He is aware of my malaise.  He is aware of every prayer lifted up in those dark moments of despair and debilitating defeat.  I don’t totally understand why those prayers go unanswered from my perspective.  I only know that today may be the day when he asks me the question I have been waiting to hear…”Ruben, do you want to get well?”