Jesus's Work = The Father's Work
John 5:9b-17
9b Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
God “works” on the Sabbath, since God upholds reality constantly, seven days a week. When God causes the sun to rise on the Sabbath, e.g., He is not violating the fourth commandment—rather, He is making life itself possible. When questioned, Jesus identifies Himself with the Father and implies that they are both engaged in lawful work on the Sabbath.
P.S. We don’t know what Jesus means when He says, “Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you,” but the fact that the man immediately goes and informs on Jesus to the authorities isn’t a good sign!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Note how the healed man never thanks Jesus or gives glory to God. Let’s not make the same mistake today.