John 5:16-38
The setting for these verses is that Jesus has just healed a lame man at the pool of Bethesda. But because he did this on the Sabbath and because the Jewish leaders were looking for an excuse to clamp down on his ministry, they confronted him. Of course, healing a sick person on the Sabbath was considered work and work on the Sabbath is a violation of Jewish law, but the leaders used this offense as a pretext to question Jesus further. They would need more evidence if they wanted to put him in prison for good, run him out of town with his followers or, if necessary, to execute him.
Jesus’ answers are often perplexing to his listeners. But what he says goes directly to the heart of the issue and he speaks with authority. The Jewish people seemed more open to believing in Jesus because they were not as blinded by religiosity as their leaders were.
However, if we are tempted to marvel at the dull headedness of the Jewish leaders for not comprehending what Jesus was teaching, we need to realize that we have the hindsight of seeing the larger picture and singular events make perfect sense to us now that we have gathered up all the clues in prophesy and pieced them together and seen how the story comes out. We view each element as part of God’s exquisite plan to give the world victory over sin and eternal life.
From the Jewish leaders’ point of view, their rich traditions and their entire history as God’s chosen people were being challenged by this man and his strange teachings. Many religions over the years had tried to come against the Jews and had not been successful in diluting their laws and customs. And were they not God’s Chosen People? Were they not doing as the Law commanded? Were they not fighting for their very existence and identity as a nation?
But Jesus gives the Jews a clear choice in verses 45-47. “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say.” He gave them a clear choice and sadly, many chose their religion rather than eternal life. They had no idea of the role they were playing in the grand design of our Father to draw all people to himself.
Janice, you are so right and thank you for sharing your reflection!! As much as I love the idea of physically walking with Jesus, we are so blessed to have the whole picture to read about and digest His words/teachings!
What would I have thought of Jesus' words and teachings and actions at the time? You're so right, Janice - the fullness of scripture that we have and the record of Jesus' death and resurrection gives a beautiful, complete picture that the Jews didn't have. Thank you so much for sharing!