Day 6: John Chapter 5 (part 1)

In a controversial move Jesus heals the man at the pool the Hebrews called Bathzatha. The Jews (who in John's gospel are the religious authorities) take offense to this act because the man was asked to carry his mat which is a violation of sabbath law. This presents Jesus with an opportunity to show the blindness of the religious authorities to the work of the Lord. Their faith is in the law and keeping its commandments. But Jesus is establishing himself as the present authority: "My father is still working and I also am working (v.17)." The manifestation of eternal life is not enclosed in the Law rather it is embodied in the person of Jesus: "Anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life (v.24)" Eternal life is granted the moment we hear the word and believe. Yet what does it mean to pass from death to life? This is to be born again anew. All the Jews see is the violation of the Law, a system of judgment. Yet the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing (v.20)." Eternal life is the revelation of the work of the Father. Through Jesus we are ushered into the vision of the Kingdom which is the work of the Father. The Kingdom, inaugurated by Christ, is there before us. The Father is still working, and has been working, to bring about redemption in the now. Our acceptance and belief of this reality is our entry into its very life. It is to have eyes to see the work of the father. The choice is ours: Do we see a man carrying a mat on the sabbath or the Glory of God working to redeem this world. Anyone who sees the later believes in the kingdom and has surely passed from death to life.