John
5:8-13 (NIV) Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and
walk." 9 At once the man was cured;
he picked up his mat and walked.
The day
on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10 and so the Jews said to the man who
had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your
mat."
11 But
he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and
walk.'"
12 So
they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and
walk?"
NOTE: This verse
represents the heart of the struggle that the religious leaders have toward
Jesus. The healed man said, "the man who made me well said … 'Pick up your
mat and walk.'" The problem, later verbalized by the religious leaders, is
that 'how could Jesus do these miracles if God was not working within him?' And
how could Jesus do these miracles if he was at odds with God by disobeying the
Jewish law (as interpreted by the religious leaders)? And even more concerning,
was Jesus' redefinition of the law, thereby placing himself above the religious
leaders and on par with God. There has never been another man in history who
did the works that Jesus did, who lived an exemplary life, and who made the
claims Jesus did. He is unique in history. And, he was, and is God himself. The
signs, miracles, and perfect lifestyle testify to the truth of his statements.
The story of Jesus ought to encourage us about our faith. There is no other
name under the sun by which men may be saved, and if we have believed in Jesus,
we have that tremendous privilege of salvation.
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