Doing the Works of God

GOLDEN TEXT: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” —John 10:10

JOHN 5:2-18

OUR Golden Text is a very comprehensive statement of God’s purpose in sending his beloved Son into the world to be the Redeemer and Savior of the fallen and dying human race. “I am come,” Jesus said, “that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” God forewarned our first parents that death would be the result of their disobedience—“In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” When they did transgress his law the penalty fell upon them, “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”—Gen. 2:17; 3:19

Their children inherited the penalty of death. In Adam “all die,” Paul explains. But this is not the end, for “in Christ shall all be made alive.” (I Cor. 15:22) This was the purpose in Christ’s coming to earth. He came that the people might have life, and it was in keeping with this divine mission that he healed many who were sick, and, in a few instances, raised the dead.

However, Jesus did not heal all the sick of his day, nor did he raise all the dead, for it was not the due time in the divine plan for these blessings of health and life to be administered universally to the people. This is the work to be accomplished during the millennial age. Then there will be “times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”—Acts 3:19-21

The few miracles of healing and of restoration to life which Jesus did perform at his first advent were intended merely as illustrations of his future work of blessing, and to help those who were sincere of heart to exercise faith in him as the promised Messiah and Savior. The scribes and Pharisees, however, refused to be convinced by this testimony, and on occasions charged that he performed his miracles by the power of Beelzebub, the “prince of devils.”

The record indicates that there were many sick folk—“a great multitude”—who occupied the porches surrounding the pool of Bethesda. Only one of these was selected by Jesus to be the recipient of his healing powers. Probably there were others just as worthy, but as we have noted, Jesus was not at that time conducting a general work of healing. Had he been, no doubt he would have witnessed to all the impotent ones around that pool and given them an opportunity to believe and to be healed.

The one whom he did heal was evidently sincere of heart and inclined toward righteousness, for after he was bidden to take up his bed and walk, Jesus found him in the temple. Evidently he had gone there to offer a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God for the great blessing which had come to him.

As usual, the enemies of Jesus hated him the more because of this miracle. They realized that every such miracle enhanced the people’s appreciation of Jesus, and tended to weaken their own hold over them. They could not speak against the miracle itself, so they condemned Jesus because he had performed it on the sabbath day, charging that this was a violation of the Law.

Answering this charge, Jesus said, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” (vs. 17) On another occasion Jesus explained that the sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; it was intended, that is, to be a blessing to man. In principle, therefore, works of mercy and blessing on that day would be quite in keeping with the spirit of the commandment.

Jesus’ reference to his Father working on the sabbath seems to have a larger meaning than the scribes and Pharisees realized. He evidently had in mind that greater sabbath, the seventh day in the great creative program during which God has been resting. (Gen. 2:1-3) Paul’s reference to this in Hebrews 4:1-11 indicates that this sabbath has continued throughout the ages, and that God is still “resting,” putting his trust in his beloved Son, knowing that he will finish the work given him to do.

But even so, as Jesus indicates; the Creator has not been inactive during this time. His ear is ever open to the heart cries of his people for succor and help, for wisdom and guidance, and for forgiveness. From this standpoint he never rests, never sleeps. It was in keeping with this that Jesus performed miracles on the sabbath day, for he knew that it was not the intent of his Father’s Law to restrict doing good when opportunity afforded.

But no matter what explanation Jesus offered, his enemies could not be satisfied, so they accused him of blasphemy because he referred to Israel’s God as his Father. They continued to level this charge against him, and by it they finally succeeded in condemning him to death.

QUESTIONS

In what manner does the Golden Text outline the purpose of God in sending Jesus to be the Redeemer and Savior?

Why did Jesus heal only a few of the sick of his day, and raise only a few of the dead?

What expression is used by the Apostle Peter to describe the general work of healing and lifegiving?

What charge did Jesus’ enemies bring against him in connection with the miracle recorded in today’s lesson? How did Jesus answer that charge?

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