Following Christ is More than Just Rules

John 5 KJV 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

Jesus Heals Man By The Pool

Jesus heals a man who had been ill for 38 years. He told the man, get up, pick up your mat, and walk.

John 5:9-10 KJV 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

Imagine after 38 years you are well and best of all you can walk. This guy is walking around carrying his mat for all to see. What could wrong? Who would not be rejoicing for him?

What The Religious Followers See

The religious followers see Jesus healing on the Sabbath. The rule following religious leaders had a rule; “This is the Sabbath! It’s illegal for you to carry your mat.” Religious leaders make their rules and pretend they are from God but in reality they make themselves as lord over the rules and people.

Jesus, being God, knew it was the Sabbath. Jesus being a Jew knew the man made rules. Why would Jesus purposefully go against the laws of the Pharisees?

Because In Matthew 12:7-8, Mark 2:26-27, Luke 6:1-5 we find Jesus healing on the Sabbath, going against the status quo. It is in these verses we understand.

Matthew 12 KJV 7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

Jesus Is Lord Of Sabbath

Jesus, the Son of Man, is Lord of the Sabbath ands the Messiah desires mercy not sacrifice. All religions that are “earn your right standing before God through your works,” are absent of mercy. Jesus put this another way;

Matthew 11:27 KJV 11 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Jesus, the Son of Man, Son of God, the Messiah, God in flesh; is Lord of the Sabbath. That is, Jesus is our rest from the unattainable goal of being not guilty before God through our works. God’s love toward those who fear Him is as high as the highest heaven and His forgiveness, as far as the east is from the west all the guilt of our rebellious acts are removed (Psalm 103).

Galatians 1 KJV 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Grace and peace, Jesus is inviting you to come to Him. Go! Give Him your burden of guilt and He will give you Himself.