The Life & Work of Christ

Last week we observed Jesus teaching in a persons house when 4 men in faith dug through the roof to let down a paralyze man to him. Jesus forgave him of his sins, and healed him through his compassion. But in addition this healing was intended to prove to the Pharisees his divine authority to forgive sins on earth. In today’s passage, Jesus’ tour of Galilee is on a short pause to attend one of the holy festivals in Jerusalem (). Pay close attention as we walk 80 miles with Jesus from Capernaum to enter the gates of Jerusalem. Not only observe Jesus but get a sense of what Jesus observes himself.

The Observation of Jesus

A Disabled Multitude

There was a gate or entrance to the city that people commonly used to take sheep in and out. And near that entrance, there was a square pool which collected rain water. Sheep were cleaned in the pool, kept in the area, and bought and sold primarily for the purpose of sacrifice, whether for sin or other offerings. The pool had 5 porticoes, which were essentially large covered walkways which were intended to provide shade for the sheep. But when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, he observed a saddening status and activity at this pool which was detrimental for the sheep. There were a multitude of sheep there, not a few that John could number, but so many that he couldn’t immediately number. They were all laying down under all of the walkways. What really makes the visual saddening, is that the status of these sheep was sickness (existing as diseased or simply weak), blindness, lame (not a disease, but crippled in the feet or legs), and withered (limbs shriveled up). The sheep I’m really describing are people. Now the latter part of verse 3 and all of 4 are not in earliest manuscripts, but were in later manuscripts, thus why some of your bibles have it in brackets. I believe it is authentic because without it, we wouldn’t understand the rest of the passage. Nonetheless, it gives us the reason so many sick were gathered at this pool. The water would get stirred up at certain times and whoever was the fist to step in would get healed from whatever they had. What a sad picture. Priests and Israel’s elders knew well that actual sheep could not be brought for a sacrifice in these conditions, how is it that Israel has neglected the true sheep of GOD in this way. This is one of the main rebukes from GOD in , that Israel’s shepherds were attending to all of their self-interests and gain, to the neglect of those who were sick and afflicted.

Application: When we look around the cities of our country and globe today, we get the same sad picture of sheep or people. They are in areas that are intended for other uses: subways, under highways, sidewalks, street light poles, park benches, etc. Depending on stirring waters from somewhere to help them in their affliction. Could you imagine the pain, frustration, and agony Jesus must’ve felt to observe such a sad condition of humanity?

Priests and leaders knew well that actual sheep could not be brought for a sacrifice in these conditions, how is it that Israel has neglected the true sheep of GOD in this way. This is one of the main rebukes from GOD in , that shepherds of people were attending to all of their self-interests and gain, to the neglect of those were sick and afflicted.

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The Chronically Sick Man

Get Closer

"Do You Want To Be Better?”

As Jesus was watching this big crowd of sick people lying around, there was a certain man there that caught his attention. John informs us that this man had been in his weak and ill condition for 38 years! Jesus had full knowledge that he had been sick that long and when he catches Jesus’ attention, he gets close enough to him to speak to him asking “Do you strongly desire to undergo a change that makes you free from sickness?”

Application: Sometimes we only stand afar and assume what people in these conditions really want or need. We need to be driven by the compassion of our King, Lord, and ultimate superior to get close enough to ask them! GOD does us one even better, because since we’re not walking around like their day and on a fast pace in cars, people hold up signs expressing what they want or need. Could you imagine how many stops Jesus would make in a day, holding up vehicle traffic, to speak to the people in KC, Chicago, DC, Baltimore, LA, etc?

The Hopeless Response

Listen to this sick man’s hopeless dependence and frustration of his condition. He says “I have nobody”! He’s an outcast!! Specifically nobody to help me get in the pool when it is stirred up. Furthermore his condition has impaired him so bad that he himself can’t limp fast enough to beat others to the pool. Can you hear his frustration and hopelessness. Nobody to help, and I’m too slow! And he like others are depending on the only or perhaps primary remedies they are aware of.

Application: We must understand that everybody that we observe on the streets does not desire to be where they are! They realize that in order for a change to occur regarding their condition, they need help! But do we realize the same? We who have been gifted citizenship in heaven through Christ Jesus! There are all these people in Jerusalem during these annual feasts, but they have gotten so religious that they’ve forgotten that true religion toward GOD is helping ones who can’t help themselves!

The Healing Command

Jesus responded with the power which he had been given, and commanded the man to get up, pick up his pallet, and walk! And immediately by the power of Jesus word, the man became well and obeyed Jesus command. Amen!

The Legal Confrontation

Now again, we usually see the power of Jesus to heal and get excited, as we should. But we must be careful to also see that’s not the only response Jesus ministry activity receives. When the Jews, no doubt Pharisees or other prominent Jewish authorities, saw the man walking around with his pallet they immediately confront him because it was a Sabbath day saying “walking with your pallet isn’t allowed or authorized”. Remember the sabbath day was part of the Mosaic law, on which no one was to do any work and keep the day holy unto GOD as a sign of the covenant between them for delivering Israel from Egyptian bondage. Whatever ones regular business, was not supposed to be conducted period on that day. But we also must understand that over time, particularly from the time of Ezra forward (450 B.C.), there were oral laws that were written down to supplement the scripture. These oral laws or traditions were given by Jewish rabbi’s and became just as authoritative as the scripture. This document became known as the Mishna, which was part of a larger document known as the Talmud. And in regard to the sabbath, it had 39 categories of sabbath work which was prohibited. Thus, when these Jews make this statement, they are making reference to the Talmud’s prohibitions. And these legal traditions were well known amongst Jews and Jewish authorities would execute punishment for anyone who broke them. This is vital to understand because as I mentioned last week, it provides the stage for why the Jews would kill Jesus later in his ministry.

The cured man knew this and he avoids all trouble with the Jews and puts the blame on Jesus. But notice, he states “He who made me well!” told me to do this. The Jews pay no attention to the fact that he claims he had been made well! They don’t want to find Jesus because he healed the man, they want to find him because he gave a command that broke the Talmud laws.

Application: And I think it’s extremely saddening, that we’re living in similar times where rulers and lawmakers are trying to penalize people for doing good and helping folk in need. Making laws outside the compassion of Christ. Hence why we need to pray and pray hard for those in authority. For example, just last year, 12 people were charged with a misdemeanor for feeding homeless people public places - in El Cajon, CA which is part of San Diego county, because according to their law, it is not allowed for sanitation reasons. There are numerous cities who have similar laws and even make it illegal for homeless to sleep in public places. Thus, if it happens, it needs to happen according to our rules despite what you claim is scripture. There are people more concerned for protecting the comfort and fear of the haves, to the neglect and penalty of the have nots. As Jesus’ servants, we can’t follow that rule and claim to serve him.

The Prognosis Warning

The man trying to avoid punishment, is found by Jesus again and Jesus affirms that he is in a healthy state now and to avoid living a life of sin so that a worse condition doesn’t fall on him. We need to understand that all sicknesses are not the direct result of one’s sin. However some sicknesses are! Which is even more profound because Jesus healed/helped the man knowing that sin put him in his condition for 38 years. But Jesus is giving him another chance for greater health. But will we also make great effort to help someone’s condition, knowing that bad behavior led them to it???

The Harassment Toward Jesus

The Persistence of Jesus Ministry

Interestingly, this man does what we typically try to avoid with people in his previous condition. He totally dismissed Jesus offer for the greatest health and ran back to snitch to the Jews that it was Jesus. But again, he does focus on the fact that Jesus made him well!!! And because of his report, the Jews started harassing Jesus because he was doing good to folk on the sabbath. But Jesus responded with such a profound statement that completely infuriated the Jews and confronted their theology of the sabbath. “My father hasn’t stopped working, and I won’t stop working!!!”

Application: First off, just because there’s 1 bad apple in our ministry shouldn’t prevent us from doing good to help people. Secondly, and most importantly, we must never stop due to others’ misunderstanding of GOD or their harassment! We must realize who we’re working for and with, unafraid of what may result. The march in Selma! The bus boycott’s in the 60’s! Martin Luther King would still be in hot water! Moreover, Jesus today would be harassed all the time! Where will we stand?!?