Thoughts on the Gospel of John (56) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, It is the Sabbath: it is not lawful for you to carry your bed. He answered them, He who made me well said to me, Take up your bed and walk. Then they asked him, Who is the man who said to you, Take up your and walk? But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.
John 5: 10 - 14.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (56)
What joy for that man! Healed after being ill for 38 years! The one who had waited for a cure for years then experienced the power of God in himself. Jesus, the Son of God had spoken with authority.

The miracle did not pass without criticism: it was the Sabbath Day, and no-one was allowed to carry a bed around. How blind the religious proved to be there! Work should not be done on the Sabbath, true enough. But had God not created the Sabbath for man's good? And the invalid had only obeyed a command. By carrying his bed, he showed that the Son of God was visiting His people.

"Who was it?" Didn't the questioners notice that the miracle healer must be more than an ordinary person? They may have asked out of interest, but in fact the rejection behind their curiosity would be revealed later.

The one cured entered the temple, presumably to bring a thank offering. There he again met Jesus (the Lord is salvation), who had a message for him. In his case his former sinful life was the cause of his illness. Now he must break with it to avoid something worse: being lost for eternity.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today‘s reading: 1 Kings 12: 16 - 33 · John 9: 24 - 34