Gospel Reading: John 5:1-16
We have moved into the Gospel of John for the rest of Lent. For John in particular the miracles of Jesus are signs pointing to the fact that he is the Messiah. The refusal of the Pharisees to accept him is a rejection of the signs that he works. The problem for the Pharisees is that there is no disputing the actual miracle. The miracle related here of Jesus healing a man who is in some way disabled takes place on the Sabbath. The Pharisees who are obsessed with the Law reject Jesus because in their eyes no real prophet would work on a Sabbath. This is the challenge with people obsessed with laws and rules; the rules become more important than the people. Jesus saw a sick man who needed help. The Pharisees saw a rule and this was more important than the Messiah or the sick man. Strange what happens when our rules and regulations take over our lives!!!
We have moved into the Gospel of John for the rest of Lent. For John in particular the miracles of Jesus are signs pointing to the fact that he is the Messiah. The refusal of the Pharisees to accept him is a rejection of the signs that he works. The problem for the Pharisees is that there is no disputing the actual miracle. The miracle related here of Jesus healing a man who is in some way disabled takes place on the Sabbath. The Pharisees who are obsessed with the Law reject Jesus because in their eyes no real prophet would work on a Sabbath. This is the challenge with people obsessed with laws and rules; the rules become more important than the people. Jesus saw a sick man who needed help. The Pharisees saw a rule and this was more important than the Messiah or the sick man. Strange what happens when our rules and regulations take over our lives!!!
