2/12/11 John 5:9b-15 Who Makes Us Well

The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10 and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” 11 But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ” 12 So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?” 13 The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. 14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.

(Questions of Pharisees and Herodians- James Tissot)

Thoughts: "God doesn't work that way!"  That was the attitude of the leaders of the people of God.  But the wind blows where it will- and God's Spirit works in ways we don't always expect.  Some people have such a milktoast image of Jesus that they also just gloss over verse 14b "Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."  There are worse things than physical lameness, and that is spiritual and eternal sickness.  We should not think that repentance (stopping sinning and turning toward God) is not necessary.  Repentance and humility before God and according to His Word are of utmost importance  Those who teach that it is not need to hear Christ's words.  Christ makes us well in his timing and way. 

Prayer: Give me grace O Lord to perceive your hand at work, and to come humbly before you in repentance

John Calvin Abridged: While bearing burdens is forbidden on the Sabbath, Christ Himself allowed the man to bear it.  We should be careful therefore to avoid rash judgments until the reason behind the action is fully known. The cure of this man cannot be fully ascribed to his faith- as he does not acknowledge the Physician.  However, He did follow Jesus' command to pick up his mat so there was some measure of faith there.