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MAY 17
13 But the one who was healed did not know
who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multi-
14
tude being in that place. Afterward Jesus
5:14 Sin no more, lest a worse thing come found him in the temple, and said to him, “See,
upon you. The basic thrust of Jesus’ com- you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a
ments here indicates that sin has its inevitable worse thing come upon you.”
consequences (Gal. 6:7,8). Although Scripture 15 The man departed and told the Jews that it
makes clear that not all disease is a conse- was Jesus who had made him well.
quence of sin (9:1–3; Luke 13:1–5), illness at 16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus,
times may be directly tied into one’s moral and sought to kill Him, because He had done
turpitude (1 Cor. 11:29,30; James 5:15). Jesus these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus
17
may specifically have chosen this man in order answered them, “My Father has been working
to highlight this point.
until now, and I have been working.”
18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to
kill Him, because He not only broke the
been in that condition a long time, He said to Sabbath, but also said that God was His
him, “Do you want to be made well?” Father, making Himself equal with God.
7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no 19 Then Jesus answered and said to them,
man to put me into the pool when the water is “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do
stirred up; but while I am coming, another nothing of Himself, but what He sees the
steps down before me.” Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also
20
8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed does in like manner. For the Father loves the
9
and walk.” And immediately the man was Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself
made well, took up his bed, and walked. does; and He will show Him greater works
And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews than these, that you may marvel. For as the
10
21
therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Father raises the dead and gives life to them,
Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your even so the Son gives life to whom He will.
bed.” 22 For the Father judges no one, but has com-
23
11 He answered them, “He who made me mitted all judgment to the Son, that all should
well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ ” honor the Son just as they honor the Father.
12 Then they asked him, “Who is the Man He who does not honor the Son does not
who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” honor the Father who sent Him.

DAY 17:Why did Jesus not back down to religious hypocrisy?
A careful reading of John 5:17–47 reveals the ultimate reason Jesus confronted the Jews’ reli-
gious hypocrisy, i.e., the opportunity to declare who He was. This section is Christ’s own personal
statement of His deity.As such,it is one of the greatest Christological discourses in Scripture.Herein
Jesus makes 5 claims to equality with God: 1) He is equal with God in His person (vv.17,18); 2) He is
equal with God in His works (vv.19,20);3) He is equal with God in His power and sovereignty (v.21);
4) He is equal with God in His judgment (v. 22); and 5) He is equal with God in His honor (v. 23).
In v. 17, Jesus’ point is that whether He broke the Sabbath or not, God was working continu-
ously and, since Jesus Himself worked continuously, He also must be God. Furthermore, God does
not need a day of rest for He never wearies (Is. 40:28). For Jesus’ self-defense to be valid, the same
factors that apply to God must also apply to Him. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath! (Matt. 12:8).
Interestingly, even the rabbis admitted that God’s work had not ceased after the Sabbath because
He sustains the universe.
In response to Jewish hostility at the implications of His assertions of equality with God (v.18),
Jesus became even more fearless,forceful,and emphatic.“Most assuredly”(v.19) is an emphatic way
of saying “I’m telling you the truth.” Jesus essentially tied His activities of healing on the Sabbath
directly to the Father. The Son never took independent action that set Him against the Father
because the Son only did those things that were coincident with and coextensive with all that the
Father does. Jesus thus implied that the only One who could do what the Father does must be as
great as the Father.

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