In the spring of 2009, a student I discipled, whom I'll call Rob, went on a missions trip to Honduras. Unfortunately, one of his housemates was hostile. Rob ignored the insults, washed the guy's dishes, and endured listening to his blaring techno music through the night. The final straw came when Rob borrowed his housemate's computer, and it stopped working while he was typing up an email. His housemate threatened to beat him up if he didn't pay $150 to get it fixed.
John 5:9-18
Now that day was the Sabbath, and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "This is the Sabbath. The law prohibits you from picking up your mat." He replied, "The man who made me well told me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'" "Who is this man who told you, 'Pick up your mat and walk'?" they asked. But the man who was healed did not know who it was, because Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. After this, Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "See, you are well. Do not sin anymore, so that something worse doesn't happen to you." The man went and reported to the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. Therefore, the Jews began persecuting Jesus because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. Jesus responded to them, "My Father is still working, and I am working also." This is why the Jews began trying all the more to kill him: Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God.
This story shows us what it means for a prophet to have no honor in his own country (John 4:44). This paralyzed man is walking for the first time in thirty-eight years, and not because he asked Jesus for help. Rather, Jesus sought him out and healed him. In return, this man blames Jesus for teaching him to break the Sabbath regulations, ignores Jesus' rebuke, and uses his legs to report Jesus to the temple authorities. Nor do the religious leaders show any appreciation. They seem to take it for granted that a paralyzed man is walking, but that's of no interest! Rather, they're irritated that his functioning legs enable him to illegally carry his mat around. Then, the conflict escalates. Jesus doesn't cite a loophole. He doesn't even point out that their law is a cultural preference rather than an Old Testament requirement. Instead, he explains, "My Father is still working, and I am working also." Everyone understands the implications. Anyone who does the work of God as the Son of God is claiming to be God. When Jesus heals the man on the Sabbath, he reveals that he is the Creator and Fulfiller of the Sabbath. God's intention for the Sabbath was to restore us to wholeness. But despite all the good Jesus is doing, everyone responds with criticism or worse. This man got exactly what he says he wanted for thirty-eight years. But instead of thanking him, he goes out of his way to get Jesus in trouble. This man reminds me of the time God gave me a dream ministry job, and I responded by thinking that I was a big deal. I wanted what God could do for me, and that was it. Even if God answered all our prayers, that doesn't mean we'd love him. The line we most want to skip is the most important. Jesus tells the man, "Do not sin anymore, so that something worse doesn't happen to you." If I think God is angry at me, this sounds like a threat. But if I know that Jesus would gladly heal not only paralyzed legs, but paralyzed hearts, then I can trust this is an invitation to be completely healed.
What stands out to you about how the healed man responds to Jesus?
Where do you find yourself downplaying your faith when it might cost you socially?
Have you ever received a "blessing" (a new job, a relationship, extra money) that led you to drift away from Jesus?
Write down one way God has helped you, and you've responded poorly. Tell him the truth about it out loud: "You gave me ____, and I've responded with ____." Then, text a friend to share your struggle.
Get 5 practical emails to help you follow Jesus with a friend.
121 friends have opened a study shared with them.
We were expecting a fabulous meal at the ski lodge's steakhouse. High ceilings, mahogany leather chairs, elega...
"Thank you Heavenly Father...to allow us to send a message to all the tyrants, the communists, and the globali...
My employer had told me I needed to take a new role in the organization, and aptitude testing would determine...