Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 58-62
     New Testament Reading: John 5

The man went and reported to the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. Therefore, the Jews began persecuting Jesus because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. (John 5:15-16)

At first glance, it seems like John is simply telling us about yet another healing that Jesus performed. But this time it is different. Others came to Jesus, seeking to be healed. But this man, who had been disabled for 38 years and was lying by the pool, never came to Jesus. He had never heard of Jesus or knew of His healing power. After he was healed, he still did not know who Jesus was.

The Apostle John includes this story because it is a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. Up to this point in time the Pharisees followed Jesus out of curiosity, but now the Jews began trying all the more to kill him: Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God (v18). It is here that the ‘official persecution’ of Jesus began, culminating in His crucifixion.

The first two miracles of Jesus recorded in John were more private, but this third miracle was done publicly. Jesus could have healed this man the day before or the next day, but He purposely heals him on the Sabbath to expose the hypocrisy of the legalistic traditions of the scribes and Pharisees. They had taken the Sabbath, God’s gift to humanity, and transformed it into a strict list of regulations and restrictions.

Legalists make lists of dos and don’ts based not on Scripture but on traditions or personal preference and then judge themselves and others on their adherence to those lists. Jesus was willing to stand up against legalism and spent much of His ministry debating the legalistic Sanhedrin over the Sabbath. Paul was persecuted by the legalistic Jews over circumcision and was even willing to stand in opposition to Peter over the issue (Gal. 2:11).

Legalism is still alive and well in the church today. There is nothing wrong with having a favored style of music, preferred translation of the Bible, choice of dress, or place and time of worship. However, when you take your personal preference for these, or other issue and make it a stipulation of acceptance in the fellowship, or condition of employment, then you have crossed the line of Grace to Legalism.

As Christians, we always need to be careful when dealing with others to exercise Grace, and not expect or oblige them to follow our preferences. In addition, like Jesus and Paul, we need to be willing to take a stand against the legalistic list of rules adopted by others.