John 4 — The Woman at the Well, Healing an Official’s Son
John 5 — The Healing at the Pool, The Authority of the Son
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
The Jewish leaders begin to accuse Jesus because he healed a man by the pool at Bethesda, so Jesus takes time to teach them. I imagine the crowd of leaders walked away scratching their heads, but perhaps a few actually heard his words, “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish–the very works I am doing–testify that the Father has sent me” (John 5:36). The Jewish leaders can’t possibly understand this. They see the lame man walking and carrying his mat and only know their rules, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat” (5:10). Really? This guy has been lame for 38 years (5:5) and you’re concerned about the mat?
Jesus continues, “You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study the Scriptures diligently…the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life” (5:37b-40). Lord I hope that we’re not so focused on crossing t’s and dotting i’s that we miss you in all we do. Please open up our eyes to see you every day.