We left off with Christ healing a man that had been lame for thirty eight years and telling him to take up his bed and walk.
John 5:10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
Is this a violation of the sabbath? Well you weren’t supposed to burden yourself, but was this a burden? The man has gone thirty eight years wanting to be healed, wanting to be able to just get to the pool of water and suddenly can motor around on your own power. I’d say being able to move this bed wasn’t a burden it was a joy.
John 5:11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
Violation of the sabbath meant he was to be stoned to death so I am sure you can imagine this guy has just gone from feeling free to worry for his life. So I ask you who is the one putting a burden on who?
John 5:12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
These men don’t care that he was healed. They all knew this man. The man was a local fixture by the pool for thirty eight years. The priests couldn’t do anything for him. They didn’t have any power to help him, but they don’t care about that. They only want to know where they can start chucking rocks.
John 5:13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
I want you to make note of this. This man didn’t ask Christ for a healing nor after was he healed even know who he was or even thanked him for his service. It could be the man was shocked and Jesus took off before he could even register what was going on. I know I would be, but what does this tell us about the type Christ has laid out for us? The thirty eight years links this to Israel waiting in the wilderness. The end of bondage and the entering into that promise that is Jesus Christ.
God had divorced the house of Israel and the house of Judah (Jeremiah 3:8) and they were crippled and withering off the vine. That time for that to change was here whether Israel knew it or not and Christ was going to be crucified. He was going to be the lamb slain which is the reason he is doing this at the sheep gate to begin with.
John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
Note he is IN the temple how. Just as after you are washed clean by the blood of the lamb you too can enter the temple. On another note, and this just came to me so I am sorry if it is a bit redundant, but when you first accept Christ you don’t know who he is. You might know of him, but until you “temple” with him you don’t know who he truly is.
What is this worse thing that could befall him? It isn’t what can happen to his body.
Matthew 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. (44) Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. (45) Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
John 5:15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
This could be that he ran to tell them because they had asked beforehand, but I think it is more that bursting desire a true believer has to tell others about the joy they have found in Jesus.
John 5:16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
Sadly, this is what happens then you tell people about Jesus. Most people wont care just as these people didn’t care about the miracle he had done on the sabbath they only wanted to stone him. Next we will see how Jesus handles these turkeys. Remember if this has helped you in anyway share.
