Daily Lesson for Thursday 3rd of October 2024
The miracle by the Pool of Bethesda provided an excellent opportunity for John to emphasize who Jesus is. John takes nine verses to describe the miracle and about 40 verses (see below) to describe the One who performed the miracle.
Read John 5:16-18. Why was Jesus persecuted for His action on the Sabbath?
Image © Jim Howard at Goodsalt.com
John 5:18 can be disturbing because it seems to say that Jesus was breaking the Sabbath. However, a closer look at John 5:16-18 shows that Jesus argues that His “work” on the Sabbath is in line with His relationship to His Father. God does not stop sustaining the universe on the Sabbath. Consequently, Jesus’ Sabbath activity was part of His claim to divinity. The religious leaders persecuted Him on the basis of supposed Sabbath-breaking and a claim to equality to God.
Read John 5:19-47. What was Jesus saying in order to help the leaders see Him for who He truly is, a claim so powerfully attested by the miracle He had just done?
Jesus defends His actions in three steps. First, He explains His intimate relationship with the Father (John 5:19-30). Jesus indicates that He and His Father act in harmony, to the point that Jesus has the power both to judge and to raise the dead (John 5:25-30).
Second, Jesus calls four “witnesses” in rapid succession to His defense—John the Baptist (John 5:31-35), the miracles Jesus does (John 5:36), the Father (John 5:37-38), and the Scriptures (John 5:39). Each of these “witnesses” gives testimony in favor of Jesus.
Finally, in John 5:40-47, Jesus sets before His accusers their own condemnation, revealing the contrast between His ministry and their self-seeking. Their condemnation, He says, will come from Moses (John 5:45-47), the one in whom they have set their hopes.
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How can we be careful not to fall into the trap of believing in God, even having correct doctrines, but not surrendering fully to Christ? Bring your answer to class on Sabbath. |
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