John 5:30

Anita Errickson John 5:30

By myself I can do nothing: I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

Often Jesus told us that alone he could do nothing, that He and the Father are one. The 5th chapter of John tells the story of the sick man who stayed by the waters at Bethesda, waiting for them to be stirred. He was physically unable to get to the pool and there was no one to help him. Jesus healed him on the strength of His words alone. Then he told him to take up his bed and carry it home.

The Jewish onlookers responded in anger. They should have stood in open-mouthed wonder and holy awe at the miracle performed before their eyes. They should have fallen to their knees in awed worship. They should have spread the story far and wide! It was a miracle!

But no. Sadly, Jesus had healed on the Sabbath and commanded someone to carry something. Gasp! This was not acceptable to them. It was appalling. It was an affront to everything they believed about how the Sabbath should be kept. The spiritual perfection they sought through strict obedience to rules and laws, Jesus freely offered through unconditional love, no checklist to complete, no law other than God's law of love. He judged that it was good to heal the man by the pool and told us His authority was Himself, because He and the Father are one. Jesus, God the Word made flesh, cannot go against the Father; all his decisions are right. If that means healing on the Sabbath, so be it. Pleasing the Father by caring for even those that society deems most unworthy should be an honor and we should be led to it by a heartfelt desire to be like Jesus. What a wonderful way to please our Father!

Loving Father: May we seek to hear you speaking to us in the everyday situations we encounter. May we seek to be obedient loving and faithful followers. May we strive to please you by seeking your will with obedient and thankful hearts. Amen.