A study of John 5:1-18 demonstrates receiving from, but not recognizing the savior, a focus on legalism rather than grace, a call for repentance, and a constantly working God.

A study of John 5:1-18 demonstrates receiving from, but not recognizing the Savior.

When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” (ESV, John 5:3-7)

Jesus visited Jerusalem during the time of a Jewish feast and passed the pool of Bethseda near the sheep gate. Its waters were periodically disturbed by what the people believed was an angel stirring the water. Although modern Bible scholars suggest it was underground springs feeding into it. But infirmed people gathered around the pool when a disturbance was anticipated because they believed the first sick person into the pool afterwards was healed.

Jesus arrives, surveys the crowd of sick people gathered around the pool and picks out one person. A man identified as an invalid for 38 years. Jesus asks if he wants to be healed. Which is like asking a starving wolf if he enjoys lamb. The man calls Jesus “sir” which is the Greek word Kyrie and indicates general respect.

So, there is no evidence of faith on his part. He doesn’t recognize Jesus or know he is the Son of God. Or that Jesus is contemplating a miracle. But replies he is too infirmed to ever reach the pool first after it is stirred. A New Testament example of victimhood. Perhaps, to evoke pity so Jesus might stick around and help him into the water. But Jesus did something much better.

He tells the man, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”

A study of John 5:1-18 demonstrates a focus on legalism rather than grace.

So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” (ESV, John 5:10-11)

You’d think an invalid of 38 years might express a little gratitude for such a radical, life changing miracle. Maybe exchange names. But the man Just stands, rolls up the bedroll, and walks…away. But then, he meets Jews who rebuke him for breaking the Sabbath law by carrying the bedroll. Not the original sabbath commandment given by God, but an extra interpretation they added to it. Caught in the act, the man offers a quick excuse. The guy that healed him, told him to.

Wow! Don’t thank Jesus for healing you. Or even ask his name. But shift the blame on him to excuse your own actions. Not that any of us would do such a thing today. Praise God while everything is going well, but when things go wrong point accusing fingers at God with righteous indignation and ask, “why did you let this happen?”

So, the healed man blames Jesus to avoid trouble. The Jews can only focus on their legalistic view of the sabbath. Everyone is blind to grace. And no one considers the miracle a reason to glorify God.

A study of John 5:1-18 demonstrates a call for repentance.

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” (ESV, John 5:14)

Later Jesus encountered the man again in the temple. And now Jesus addresses his spiritual condition. Specifically, the need to address his sin. Why? So that something worse doesn’t happen to him.

Did Jesus speak from divine knowledge about past sinful behavior that caused the man’s illness? Perhaps. Scripture does speak about physical consequences to sin. But the eternal consequence to sin is worse. Because to reject Jeus is to miss salvation. Living with a physical disability on earth is difficult. But loss of salvation is forever.

Jesus was calling the man to repentance. And the same applies to us today. It doesn’t mean we won’t sin again. But to turn away from our sin and towards the righteousness of God. Because Jesus is interested in more than our well-being on earth. He seeks our presence in heaven.

A study of John 5:1-18 demonstrates Jesus is a constantly working God.

The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. (ESV, John 5:15)

The man had two opportunities to follow Jesus. And he walked away both times. Even worse. On the second time, he points Jesus out to the Jews who confront him about healing on the sabbath. The Greek term for “the Jews” is hoi Ioudaioi. Techically, it refers to a group of Jewish people. But the apostle John used it frequently to refer to the Jewish leaders that opposed Jesus. They were often members of the Sanhedrin who focused on enforcing rabbinic traditions over the meaning of scripture. And according to their interpretation, for Jesus to miraculously heal the man and for that man to carry his mat were both forms of work that violated the sabbath. And then, Jesus drops a bomb.

Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

Wait. Does this contradict Genesis chapter two that says God rested on the seventh day? No, because Genesis 2:3 says God rested from his work of creation. Not that he rested from everything. God doesn’t take holidays or every sabbath off. Why? The apostle Paul tells us here:

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (ESV, Colossians 1:17)

The Greek word for “hold together” is συνίστημι, which means stand together, cohere, and sustained. And it indicates a present, ongoing action. In other words, the universe is not self-sufficent. God created it and actively holds it together. Furthermore, God is always present and operating in the lives of humanity. And orchestrating circumstances and events as he works towards his sovereign purpose.

But what really infuriated the Jews is that Jesus had the audacity to claim equality with God. It amounted to blasphemy in their minds. But a claim proved at the resurrection.

About Chip Tudor:

Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.

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