John 5

If there is a prevailing theme in the fifth chapter of John it is that the Law is a harsh judge.

Something important I've learned:

The religious leaders of the day have chosen, not only to judge by the Law, but to add to the Law. We still have religious leaders that are more concerned with legalism than they are with love. It is much easier to judge others and condemn them for their behavior than to embrace them with the love of God. The Pharisees would rather have had Jesus leave a crippled man crippled than to heal him on the Sabbath. I wonder if they would have said anything if he would have left his bed behind and just walked. At first they were targeting the man for carrying his bed on the Sabbath. But when they found out that Jesus had healed him on the Sabbath, they went after Jesus for performing this act of compassion on the Sabbath. (Incidentally, this is one of the reasons Jewish leaders still claim that Jesus couldn't be the Messiah--because He violated the Law regarding the Sabbath.)

The verse I liked best:

verse 45
"But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set."

Jesus says that he is not the accuser, it is the Law (Moses) that accuses them. Since they chose to judge others by the Law, they would be judged by the Law. The whole problem in being judge by the Law is that we are all guilty.

Have you ever told a lie? Even just a little one? You're guilty.
Have you ever wanted something that belonged to someone else? Guilty?

A question to consider:

When you die--should you find yourself at the Pearly Gates and God asks, "Why should I allow you into My heaven?"--how will you answer?

I was a good person. (compared to who?)
I always followed your commands.
I've accepted your gift of grace by faith in Jesus.
Or maybe you have your own answer...

John