TEXT: John 5:1-15

SUBJECT: Exposition of John #12: Healing on the Sabbath

Today brings us to the twelfth sermon in our study of John's Gospel. And to one of the most controversial events in the history of redemption. May God give us understanding of it, for Christ's sake. Amen.

It occurred at "a feast of the Jews". Which one? Probably Pentecost, which was observed in the spring of the year, fifty days after Passover. Like His pious kinsmen, our Lord went up to Jerusalem for the celebration.

One day He passed by the Pool of Bethesda, near the sheepgate at the northeast corner of the city. There He spotted a poor invalid who had long lain in one spot hoping for a cure. How? An angel occasionally came down to the Pool, stirred it waters, and thereby healed the first person to step into it.

Was this a superstition, like Lourdes? It was not. Israel had long departed from its God, preferring their traditions to His Word. Yet God had not left them. The Pool of Bethesda was a reminder of His abiding presence and of His all-surpassing grace.

But the poor man hadn't received that mercy. For, like other cripples, he was rather slow getting around. Each time the water was moved, he tried to get in, but never made it. Others always beat him to the healing pool. By this time, he was no doubt in despair. Thirty-eight years of waiting!

But the wait was over. Our Lord came to the pitiful man with a simple question: "Do you want to be made well?" Of course he did. If so...

"Rise, take up your bed and walk".

The invalid obeys. And finds his palsied legs restored to full health. The cure was immediate; the cure was undeniable; the cure was effected through the Divine Word. "He sent His word and healed them".

Why did our Lord heal the poor man? Two reasons seem obvious, a third a bit more subtle, I think.

Our Lord healed the crippled man because He is good. Psalm 119:68 has it: "You are good and do good". If our Lord is fully Divine, He fully shares in the Divine attributes, one of which is supreme goodness. If God cares for the sick and heals them, then so must our Lord Jesus!

"Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And all that is in me,

Bless His holy name.

Who heals all your diseases

And redeems your life from destruction".

A second reason is no easier to miss. Our Savior healed the sick man in order to publicly identify Himself with God. The miracles He performed were "signs" which, of course, point to something beyond themselves. What is it? John leaves no doubt: "These things were written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God".

The third reason is a bit harder to spot, but is central to the context and theology of this miracle. Our Lord healed the man to suggest His unique mission in life. Let me explain.

The second half of v.9 is the key to our passage: "And that day was the Sabbath". Our Lord healed the man on the Sabbath. This was done self-consciously and to provoke a public reaction.

Which it did. No sooner is the man healed than the Jews confront him, "It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed". In other words, "Why are you desecrating the Sabbath?"

He tells them why: "He who made me well said to me `Take up your bed and walk'". Was he telling the truth? He was, see v.8.

Why did they ask?

Because it broke their traditions, of that we can be sure. The Rabbis were meticulous about Sabbath-keeping. And with good reason. Sabbath-breaking had resulted in the exile to Babylon (cf II Chronicles 36:21, Nehemiah 13:18). They were determined to prevent a similar punishment. But they went too far in their zeal; it became fanatical. The Sabbath was meant to be "a delight" (cf. Isaiah 58:13), but they had turned it into a day of gloom and oppression. Our Savior, of course, would have no part of that! He knew "the joy of the LORD is your strength". His freeing of the Sabbath from their traditions outraged them.

This is true. But it dodges the issue. We must go on to ask: Was carrying one's bed on the Sabbath a violation of God's Law?

Let's see. The Fifth Commandment stipulates: "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work..."

The first violation of the Sabbath is recorded in Numbers 15:32ff. What did the man do? He picked up sticks. Why? Presumably to light a fire for warmth or to bake his manna. The "work", it seems, was minimal and not done for an evil cause. Yet he died for it.

The Sabbath laws were not absolute; they admitted to exceptions. What were they? Works of necessity, works of mercy, and works of public worship.

The exceptions are not directly stated in the Law, but may be justly inferred from it. If the laws of God do not contradict each other, then the duties to sustain one's life, to help others, and to publicly worship God are not negated by the Sabbath rules. If, for example, a man had chest pains on the Sabbath, he could call for a doctor. If a doctor was called on the Sabbath to treat the man, he could do it. And, of course, every priest worked on the Sabbath.

Do any of these exceptions apply to carrying one's bed on the Sabbath? I don't think so. It was not necessary--the man had lain on his bed for thirty-eight years; he could have waited a few hours to get up and walk. It was not merciful--the healing was, but not picking up the bed. It was not an act of formal, public worship. It seems to me the sick man violated the Law of God. As directed by Jesus Christ.

It's no wonder the Jews became so angry. And, a bit later, sought to kill the Lord. He seemed to be a mangler of God's Law and a misleader of His people. And so He would have been if the Mosaic Law was God's Final Word.

It is not. It was never intended to be. According to Galatians 3:24, it had an expiration date--the coming of Jesus Christ.

The events of this passage, therefore, explain our Lord's mission in life. He has not come to confirm the Old Covenant (Moses did that), but to replace it. With what? The New Covenant, of course!

The Old Covenant (or Mosaic system) is inspired of God, true, and profitable to believers in every age. It is not, however, presently binding.

Are we the losers for it? No, but the gainers! We have a better Mediator, a better Law, a better community, and a better hope. "Kings and righteous men" envy you and me. We have it much better than they did.

In telling the man to carry his bed on the Sabbath, Christ was fulfilling the prophecy of Moses: "The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren, Him you shall hear".

What audacity! Moses is most revered name in Hebrew history. Yet this man, an obscure carpenter, dares to set his law aside for His own, He's a madman, an imposter, or Christ!

Which is it? The Jewish leaders made their choice long ago. Now, it's your turn. Will you honor Him as the pluralists do--as One great teacher among many? Or, as many Christians do--as One of God's spokesmen? Or, will you submit to His unique and absolute claims! God give you the grace to choose wisely.

The Lord is about to collide with the "devout men" of His age. To them, He's "A stone of stumbling and rock of offense". They could not accept anyone as superior to Moses. But Moses could--as the events at the Transfiguration testify. So should you. May our Lord Jesus become to you what He is, your

"All in all".