John Chapter 5

The Healing of the Lame Man:  
(Read John 5:1-9)
John gives a clearer identity and mission of Jesus in his gospel.  His miracles reveal that he is the Messiah. The healing of the lame man was the fulfillment of prophecy of the mission of the Messiah (Isaiah 35:6).  It is the declaration that the kingdom of God has begun. Jesus healed a man on Sabbath who had been disabled for 38 years.  He has authority over Sabbath because he is the Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:1-11).  Only Jesus has shown mercy and grace to the helpless lame man.  It happened at the sheep gate, near the pool of Bethesda, which means house of mercy. Jesus singled out this man and asked him “Do you want to be healed". Jesus wanted him to admit that he is in need of healing. He showed no appreciation for Jesus in the beginning. But Jesus' question must have awakened his hope. Only when we admit that we are sinners Jesus will save us. Jesus is able and willing to meet all our needs. Jesus told him, "Get up, take up your bed and walk”.  Only Jesus has the power to forgive sin.  Jesus knew his problem and gave him the power to obey His command. There is power in His Word. His obedience brought complete and immediate healing. Jesus met his greatest need. He began a new life and told others what Christ had done for him.  This symbolizes our spiritual healing. Christ has not only saved us from judgment of sin but also from the power of sin. Walking symbolizes our spiritual life. We are not only saved by faith but also live by faith. Christ does all things for our good and for his glory.  In Jesus, the kingdom of God has come near.  He is the true Sabbath in whom we can find rest for our souls. Pray that God would use you in the kingdom work of sharing the gospel. 
 
Christ fulfilled the Law:
(Read John 5:10-15)
The healing of the lame man happened on Sabbath is significant.  It was a weekly day designated for rest (Exodus 20:8-11). It shows that Jesus has authority over Sabbath.  Jesus said, "My Father has been working until now and I have been working".  The Father cannot be separated from the Son.  God was in Christ reconciling the world back to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).  Only through Jesus we can enter into true Sabbath rest God has promised. (Matthew 11:28).  All other efforts are futile.  This man's greatest need was not his physical healing but the salvation of his soul. The man immediately ran into opposition. The Jewish leaders became very upset because the man was healed on Sabbath. The man did not know who healed him. Jesus met the man in the temple and said to him “Sin no more".  He was called to live a life that reflects God's mercy and grace. He was forgiven yet he was told not to sin that something worse may happen to him. Though we are forgiven, our sinless perfection is yet to come.  Believers should not take God's grace for granted and continue in sin.  “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  God saved us to live a holy life. This is possible only through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. When sin entered the world, God’s rest was broken. Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly and by his death put an end to the legal demands of the Law. Christ is able to give rest to all those who believe in Him. He sets us free from the burden of law by fulfilling the law. On the cross Jesus said, "It is finished" (John 19:30).  He is the Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28).  Christ rose from the dead on the third day. From the earliest days of the church, Christians have observed Sunday as the Lord's day.  It is not Christian Sabbath day but a day of remembrance of Christ's death and resurrection. It is a day to reflect on Christ and worship God.    

Jesus is God:
(Read John 5:16-30)
When Jesus claimed equality with the Father the conflict intensified between Jewish leaders. It amounts to blasphemy in the eyes of the Jews (John 5:18). Jesus said, "My Father never stops working, so am I" (John 5:17).  Jesus justified the healing of the sick man on Sabbath day. God is the everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6). Christ is co-equal with the Father (John 1:1; 17:5). Son reveals the nature of the Father (John 1:18). Jesus claimed, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30).  Father was never without Son or Son without Father. This relationship has no beginning or end. This speaks of Christ's unique divine nature.  All that Father does, Son does. Jesus claimed that he could raise the dead to life by raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44).  He forgave sin which only God could do.  We pass from judgment to life because Jesus took our judgment on the cross.  Father committed all judgment to Son.  Son is equal in authority and honor with the Father. Father and Son share the same life. Jesus came to reveal the Father (1:18).  If you put your faith in Jesus, you can personally know God as your Father (John 1:12).  To honor Jesus means to honor the Father (John 5:23).  Jesus is equal with Father by His work, authority and judgment. Jesus offers everlasting life to all those who believe Him (5:24).  Raising the dead is a marvelous act of God.  Nothing is impossible for Him. Jesus did nothing on his own but with father's help.  Jesus said, "You can do nothing without me" (John 15: 5). God's acceptance of us is without reservation because of the finished work of Christ on the cross. God’s acceptance of us is without reservation because of the sacrifice of his Son. Do you know this wonderful Savior who loved you and gave his life for you? 

Witnesses to Jesus:
(Read John 5:31-47)
The entire Bible bears witness to Jesus Christ (John 5:39-40; Luke 24:44-47).  The Bible is not primarily about what we do for God but what God has done for us. Jewish law requires two witnesses to establish any claim. Christ furnished many witnesses to validate His claim that He is God. The testimony of John the Baptist (John 5:33-35, His miracles (John 5:36), the testimony of the Father (John 5:37-38), and the Scriptures (John 5:39-47). John the Baptist was a burning light who testified of Christ. Jesus said, "There was no one born of women greater than he" (Luke 7:28). John the Baptist’s greatness was his humility.  Jesus is the true light and John was only a reflection of it. Jews always searched the scripture because they knew that in them, they have eternal life (John 5:39). God bless those who are poor and of contrite spirit and who trembles at His Word (Isaiah 66:2). They honor God and embrace His Word. Jesus said scriptures bear witness of Him.  Yet they refused to believe Christ. They sought praise from men rather than from God. This is the worst sin (Proverbs 29:25).  The religious leaders were impressive outside, but their heart was full of sin. With their long prayers they sought the praise of men. They failed to understand that what matters is God's approval.  All believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and they are sealed by Spirit for eternity.   We are saved by faith.  Someone has said, "Faith is like a parachute defying the gravity of sin and death". We are weak against the pull of sin, but faith makes us strong.  Jews had great respect for Moses but they did not believe what Moses testified of Christ (Luke 24:27; Deuteronomy 18:15-18). We should not seek man's approval. The gospel will only make sense when we admit that we are sinners.  The purpose of the Law is to give knowledge of sin and lead us to Jesus. If Jews believed the words of Moses, they would have received Jesus.  Millions of people are lost because they do not want to believe in Christ.  The sacrifice of Jesus is perfect, able to cleanse even the worst sinner. Have you believed in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?