John 5:14-16 - Lesson #52

The Jewish system of laws had become very legalistic and created an impassible barrier to God. Jesus intentionally confronted this system by healing a man on the Sabbath - something viewed as forbidden.

John 5:14-16
"Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, 'See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.' The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath."

In one sense Jesus simply used this man to create a confrontation with the Jewish legalistic system. However, He still used this healing to teach several truths. First we learn that faith is not necessary for a miracle. Jesus acted independent of the man's faith, showing us the only requirement for a miracle is the power of God. God is never constrained by the actions of man.

Next, we learn that physical healing does not imply Spiritual forgiveness. When Jesus healed the paralytic man, who was lowered through the roof by his friends, He said, "Son, your sins are forgiven you" (Mark 12:5). But no indication of forgiveness is given in this case of the man by the pool. It is possible to be physically healed and yet remain Spiritually dead.

We are also reminded of the sad ungrateful condition of the human heart. The man was sick for thirty-eight years, and yet his total focus appears to be his new life, without any regard for the Giver of life. In fact, he reported Jesus to the Jewish leaders as soon as he learned His identity - perhaps as a way of defending himself against the charge of violating the Sabbath. Was the cost of loyalty too high? Can someone really be so self-centered that they would not give thanks for such a wonderful gift? Well, when was the last time we thanked God for the greatest gift of all - the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus!?

Finally, we learn that this sickness was due to sin, and that something worse would happen if the man did not stop sinning. We know that not all illness is caused by sin (John 9:1-3), but we also know that many sinful activities can lead directly to terrible sickness. We also know that God can use various forms of suffering to bring about Spiritual repentance. David wrote of physical and emotional suffering after his sin with Bathsheba: "My bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me" (Psalm 32:3-4).

God remains in control and is working His plan through every situation. Let's continually come before Him with a thankful heart and seriously confront the sin in our life. Let's seek out the Healer and be determined to consistently live for Him no matter what the cost.