In this chapter we see Jesus challenging the leaders of the temple by not only healing on the Sabbath but also claiming that he has the authority of God. Jesus heals a man who has been waiting by the pool in Bethesda for over 30 years. When Jesus asks him if he wants to be healed, he doesn’t say yes, he just says that no-one has helped him in all this time. Is he feeling sorry for himself? The Pharisees who heard about this healing were more angered that the man had been told to “pick up his mat” on the Sabbath rather than being amazed that the man had been healed after all this time. The man did not know who Jesus was at the pool and it was only later when Jesus saw him at the temple and told him to stop sinning that the man told the Jews it was Jesus who had healed him. Was he putting the blame on Jesus because the Jewish leaders had accused him of working on the Sabbath when he carried his mat?

Even though the Jewish leaders were learned men of the scriptures and had read the word of Moses where he describes the coming of the Messiah (see Deuteronomy 18:15-22), they did not recognise that the Messiah had arrived, even though Jesus declared himself to be God. He supported his claims by explaining that:

• He did whatever his Father did.
• God loved Jesus and showed him what to do.
• Jesus had the power to raise the dead just like God.
• Jesus has been given authority for judgement by God.

By Jesus calling God his Father he was showing that he had a unique relationship with him. By accepting Jesus as our Saviour we too can have an intimate relationship with our Father. How can we live like Jesus? If you are in a situation and don’t know how to react then think “What would Jesus do?” look to the Bible for answers, pray to the Lord for help. We are not on our own – ever.

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Question:

Do you have a situation in your life that you don’t know how to deal with – What would Jesus do if he was experiencing the same thing?

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven – thank you that you did send us your Son so that his words and deeds could lead us to Eternal life with you in heaven. I pray that I can honour you by living as you have taught us to do on earth as is done in heaven. In Jesus’ name – Amen.