John 5
October 15, 2014


This passage and others like it are responsible for starting wars, dividing churches and motivating people to heroic deeds.

Jesus heals a man at the pool who apparently had quit trying to be healed.  The man didn't know who he was, and didn't have any faith that Jesus could heal him.   There is no indication that the man was a "good" or "righteous" man either.    He was healed because Jesus had compassion on him.  If Jesus had healed him as a way to become well known, or to attract a crowd, he would have mentioned his name and said "go and tell your friends" but He doesn't.     Jesus looks at us in our broken condition, when we are too tired or ignorant to seek help, and has compassion on us.   Jesus doesn't become angry with us because we are hurting.  He doesn't become frustrated or vindictive.   He cares about us, and that is His overriding motivation to heal, to speak, to come and live among us....to die in our place.     I don't know what's going on in your life, but I know this:  Jesus cares.

Interestingly, the Jewish leaders did not care.  Even though this man was one of their own, all they saw was someone "breaking the law".   If a crippled man carries his mat home on a Sunday....rejoice that he can!   Don't chastise him for doing what he was physically unable to do yesterday.   A miracle has taken place, celebrate that!   A man has been released from his bondage, celebrate that!

The reaction of the Jews is what happens when someone takes their eyes off of the goal, and begins to focus solely on the process.   It isn't that we don't need to make sure we obey the law, the law is good and should be obeyed.  Obedience is valued by God and we need to take that into consideration.   But when we become so caught up in keeping the law that we miss the fact that someone has achieved the goal, we become critical...perhaps even jealous of them.   Instead of being happy, we find fault.  Instead of cheering them, we talk behind their back.

Here's the part of the text that starts wars:  verses 19-30.   Jesus makes the following claims and statements:

• The Son does what the Father does.  The Father shows the Son everything  (19,20 and 30)
• The Son gives life, just like the Father  (21 and 25)
• The Son is the one who Judges, not the Father  (22, 27 and 29)
• If you don't honor the Son, then you don't honor the Father  (23)
• The Son has life within himself,  He doesn't have to rely on the Father for it (26)

and then:

Verse 38 says that you cannot be a Christian unless you believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

Verse 39 says Scripture (meaning our Old Testament) is testimony about Jesus Christ.

Verse 40 implies that Jesus alone gives life.

In verses 45-47 Jesus mentions that Moses testified about Him.   You will see several references in Moses writings that point to Jesus.  Here are two quick examples:  when Moses raised the bronze serpent in the desert on a staff, anyone who looked to it was saved.   Jesus says in the New Testament that just like that bronze serpent, anyone who looks told him (and specifically to Christ crucified, "lifted up" will be saved).    In Genesis 49:10 Jacob (Israel) tells his children that a ruler will come from the tribe of Judah some day.    You may say "that's Jacob talking, and yet Jesus said that Moses is the one who testifies, why is that?"    Good question.  Here's the answer:   Moses is the one who records the history of the nation and put it into print.   Moses is the author of the first five books of the Bible, commonly called the Pentateuch.  (pronounced "Pent-a-tuke" by me...)

In any case, Chapter 5 of John is a defining chapter for all Christians.  It gives us some foundation on which we build many doctrines.  Therefore, if a doctrine comes along that denies the truth of John 5, we know that doctrine isn't of Christ.

Be blessed,

PR