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not want him to become victim to deceptions within the temple that can cause him to relapse
and revert to spiritual impotency (inactive, hindered, spiritually asleep). The Messiah is
warning of the deceptive lures found inside the temple or any house of religion that will
subordinate the truth God has given to him. Do not sin or miss the mark, inside the temple.
The effects of deception and misdirection in the house of God are compounded and often more
difficult to unwind than distinguishing right wrong choices in the outside world.

In the house of God there are choices that are not so distinct, norms and traditions that have
the appearance and face value of truth but without clarity as to their origin and intent. This
was the case with the misdirection of the law of the sabbath. The sabbath is a day hallowed by
God but clearly understanding how to honor the sabbath was missing among many of the Jews.
Mis-understood sabbath restrictions were passed on from generation to generation without
the truth to understand how to practice the sabbath.
(John 5:15) – When the conversation with Jesus-Messiah ended, the man departed, found the
Jews that questioned and provided the identity of his healer, noting that He had made him
whole.

John 5: 16- And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay
him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
John 5: 17- But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I
work.
Lesson Notes:

(John 5:16) – The consequence for this sabbath miracle is harsh. The Jews leading the
inquisition sought to find the Healer with the intent take His life. Mosaic law describes a man
guilty of collecting sticks on the sabbath that was stoned to death as a sabbath-breaker.
[Numbers 15:32-35] The Jews that confronted Jesus, as the Healer and they intended to use the
same strict enforcement of sabbath law against him. This is the earliest account of a planned
attempt execute the son of God.

(John 5:17) – The Son of God is un-disturbed by the threat against His life. He finds His
opponents and responds to them; revealing the truth about the power behind His work
(miracles) He is not independent or self-serving. He is working as the Father; meaning He is
working as God. If He is guilty for working on the sabbath, God himself is a sabbath-breaker.

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