Jesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things he does, these the Son also does likewise. John 5:19 WEB
While attending one of the Jewish festivals in Jerusalem, Jesus encounters a paralyzed man. The man suffered from paralysis for thirty-eight years. After asking if the man wanted to be well, Jesus healed him saying in John 5:8, “Arise, take up your mat, and walk. WEB”
Thereafter, Jewish leaders accost the man for carrying his mat which violated man made Jewish law that prohibited carrying a mat on the Sabbath day. Ultimately, these leaders confront Jesus for healing on the Sabbath which they contend also violated the law. These are serious charges that in traditional Jewish law are punishable by death.
The Work of the Father
Jesus answers his accusers asserting his equality with God and authority over the Sabbath as the Son of God. The Lord begins his defense of his actions saying in John 5:17, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too. WEB” His response angers the leadership who seek to kill him for what they perceive is blasphemy and violations of Jewish tradition that prohibit work on the Sabbath.
Asserting that he, as the Son of God, only does what he sees the Father doing, Jesus skillfully argues that his actions are in submission to the will of God. The words and deeds of Christ shake up the establishment as they demonstrate the validity of ministry. Eventually, the overwhelming number of his miracles and statements of parity with God convince multitudes that Jesus, the Son of God, is, in fact, the Messiah, the promised Savior.
Healing on the Sabbath
The perfect reason of our Lord and Savior often embarrassed religious leaders who accused him of violating the Sabbath by working. After healing a woman crippled by a spirit of infirmity, the Lord challenged synagogue leaders who forbade good works on the Sabbath. In Luke 13:15-16 the Lord said, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each one of you free his ox or his donkey from the stall on the Sabbath, and lead him away to water? Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan had bound eighteen long years, be freed from this bondage on the Sabbath day? WEB”
In another example, Christ defends his disciples after religious leaders accuse them of breaking the law for collecting grains of wheat from fields on the Sabbath to satisfy their hunger. Jesus says to the Pharisees who accuse them in Matthew 12:3-5, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered into God’s house and ate the showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? WEB”
The Son of Man
Jesus continues his defense of the disciples with an assertion of his authority. As the Son of God, he is the high priest and Lord of the Sabbath. It is therefore lawful for him and his disciples to do good deeds without sacrifice. His defense references Hosea 6:6 which says, “For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. WEB”
Christ concludes his defense of the Sabbath day acts of his disciples with the affirmation of his Divinity as the Son of God. The Lord says in Matthew 12:6-8, “But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for demonstrating your love and mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for the encouragement and truth in your word. Help me to grow in understanding. Guide my steps as I put into practice the lessons learned from your holy scripture. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Worthy of the Calling
