JOHN 5:1-24
Reflection:
The healing of this paralysed man, was punishable by stoning, according to the religious leaders, because it broke their Sabbath Law. The healed man pleaded his ‘innocence’ and appeared ignorant of Who Jesus was, when interrogated, by the Jewish leaders. But the Lord was more interested in this man’s eternal soul, and did not want him to miss the opportunity of salvation – through faith in his Messiah, and so the Lord Jesus searched for him and we read: Afterward He found him in the temple and said to him, ‘Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.’
I wonder if this man was thanking God for his healing, when Jesus found him in the Temple, or if his attitude was apathetic and thanklessness, for he chose to tell the Jewish leaders.. who were so outraged about the Sabbath healing, that it was Jesus Who had healed him. It was the Lord Jesus, Who told Him to take up his bed and walk on the Sabbath day!
But Christ loved this man.. and desired him to be saved, which caused the Saviour to search this man out, and warn him not to sin again, in case something worse happened to him.
Although certain illness and ailments may result from sinfulness, the eternal consequences of sin are far more terrible, than a lifetime of sickness.. for the wages of sin are death, which means eternal separation from God and all that is good – however, the gift of God is eternal life.. for all who trust in Him – through Jesus Christ our Lord.
