John 5:14-17
“A little later Jesus found him in the Temple and said, “You look wonderful! You’re well! Don’t return to a sinning life or something worse might happen.” The man went back and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. That is why the Jews were out to get Jesus—because he did this kind of thing on the Sabbath. But Jesus defended himself. “My Father is working straight through, even on the Sabbath. So am I.””
“But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, ‘Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.’ Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him. So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules. But Jesus replied, ‘My Father is always working, and so am I.’”
Jesus returns to this man to give him the opportunity to really see. It is opportunity to step beyond the experience of healing into the walk of faith. Jesus’ comment about sinning is hard to understand. I don’t have time to study this now. Lord give me opportunity to return to it when the time is right.
Here Jesus says both he and the Father work straight through the sabbath. God rested on Creation’s sabbath. The Law called Israel to honor that by resting also. With Christ’s coming the meaning and definition of sabbath work changes. In the New Testament we learn about the Holy Spirit’s work and it is this work that is ongoing. This is good news! We can make do with restrictions on physical activity. We cannot do without the Spirit’s enabling in the walk of faith, 24 hours of each and every day.
Lord, give me wisdom in learning how to rest, and when. Grace me with the refreshing wind of your Spirit and may I follow it always.