Working of the Sabbath

John 5:10-17

10 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.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well!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.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working”.

Notes

When the Lord went up to Jerusalem, He went to Bethesda where He healed an invalid. He commanded the invalid to take up his bed and walk, which the man did. However, after a while, the Jews reprimanded the man who was healed for carrying objects during the Sabbath. The man narrated his account of his healing to the Jews. But the Jews could not even appreciate the healing. They were more concerned about the Sabbath violation. But their concept of a Sabbath violation remains highly debatable.

1. Reprimanded

   The Jews reprimanded the man Jesus healed for carrying his beddings during the Sabbath. The man responded by stating that the one who healed him told him to do so, but he could not identify Jesus because He withdrew.

   
   10 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.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place (John 5:10-13).

   
   

2. Sin no more

   Jesus found the man in the temple and pronounced that he was well. The Lord would then give him a warning to sin no more, or something worse may happen. The warning may be viewed as both physical and spiritual.
   
   14 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.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him (John 5:14-15).
   
   
   

3. Reason for persecution

   The author gave the reason for the persecution. The Jews persecuted Jesus because He was healing on the Sabbath. He would state something contrary to the Jewish mindset, the Father is still working, and He is also working.

   
   16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working” (John 5:16-17).
   
   
   
   
   

Application

1. Expect persecution

   The Lord Jesus experienced persecution. Therefore, we should expect persecution if we follow the Lord Jesus. The source of persecution may even come from the established religious order. Let us not be surprised about this.

   
   

2. Practice repentance

   A few things we can observe in the text, Jesus did not heal everyone, although many needed healing. Why? We do not know. But we trust in His sovereign will. We must believe that if it is His will to heal, He will.
   

3. Work as He works

   We believe that rest is God’s design for us; therefore, we should not neglect rest. But we also believe spiritual work can be done even during rest days. Therefore, despite identified rest days, we must do His work if given the opportunity, especially in sharing Christ with others.
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. Why did the Jews reprimand the man whom Jesus healed?

2. What did Jesus say to the man whom He healed?

3. . How may we avoid losing focus on the essentials of the faith?