When our ministry has no reputation in our own locality, we can carry there the reputation gained elsewhere (John 4:43-46 ).

John 4:44 "For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country."

This is no reason to avoid our Galilee. Our achievements in God in other places can open successful opportunities in our own place. A spoken word of healing can be as effective as a healing through personal contact (John 4:46-54 ). The man believed in the power of the word of Jesus to heal his son a distance of 25 miles from Capernaum. Faith of a father can, through the Lord's working, lead to the whole household believing (John 4:53 ).

John 5:1 "After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem."

Some interpreters say it was the feast of Purim, which celebrated the deliverance from the evil intention of Haman (Esther 9:21 ). It was a custom for the Jews to give presents to one another. Out of Christ's great compassion brought a healing gift to a man,

John 5:5 "... which had an infirmity thirty and eight years."

At a thermal, intermittent spring, all kinds of infirm people waited for the moving of the waters (John 5:2-4 ). Stirred waters that had healing properties were attributed to angels. Christ Jesus looked with compassion on a man who by now, seemed to have lost hope. Thirty years of helplessness and no one coming to help him. He is asked, "Do you want to be made well?" (John 5:6 NKJV). Jesus took the initiative for this man's healing - the man neither asked, nor look with expectant faith (John 5:7 ). The healing took place by the command of Jesus. "Rise, take up your bed and walk." (John 5:8 NKJV). The becoming well was immediate - with the command was given the ability.

There is controversy when legalistic religion cannot recognise the compassion of the Lord of the Sabbath. (John 5:9-10 ). Being a deed of mercy it was a right day for the miracle. The miracle itself could not be challenged, but Jewish leadership charged an infringement of Mosaic law. The command related to trade on the Sabbath (Jeremiah 17:21; Nehemiah 13:15 ). It was not applicable to deeds of mercy or relief. How easy for those motivated by legalistic control to insist on subservient obedience in reverence for the very letter of the law, and miss completely, even despise, the true spirit of the law. The command of Jesus brought healing. It was also the man's authority for carrying his bed.

John 5:11 "He answered them, "He who made me well said to me, 'Take up your bed and walk.'"

He did not know it was Jesus (John 5:12-13 ), but he did know the power and authority of the word of the Lord. Getting to experience the power of His Word we get to know Him

How it must have pleased Jesus to find the man in the Temple - most probably to thank God for his healing. He is given a word by which he can maintain his healing.

John 5:14 "Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, 'See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.'"

We can, by kinds of sinful conduct, bring upon us sickness. For example promiscuousness today can bring terrible consequences. Should we, as God's children, be under God's chastisement, which could be in other forms than sickness, remember it is intended to profit us (Hebrews 12:10 ).

John 5:15 "The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole."

The healed man learning that it was Jesus who had healed him. He focussed on the miracle, not the accusation of Sabbath-breaking. He was thankful, he wanted to make Jesus known to others, and the true character of Jesus to his accusers. The Jewish leaders, in their persecution sought the more to kill Him.

John 5:16 "... because he had done these things on the sabbath day. "

"These things" not just commanding the man to carry his bed - the healing as well. From verse 18 it is clear they feared His miracle power, and His authoritative teaching, also His claims, and they rejected Him. Christ's answer indicated His co-operation with the Father in His unceasing activity.

John 5:17 "But Jesus answered them, 'My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.'"

God is unceasing in His acts of mercy, providence and deliverance. For those with ears to hear, the answer settles the matter.

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The Son Does Not Act Separately From The Father

They act in unison because of their unity (John 5:19 ). Such is the love of the Father for the Son, He communicates all things to the Son. Greater works will come out of unhindered communication (John 5:20 ).

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The Son Is Joined With The Father In Quickening The Dead (John 5:21)

The Son is to be honoured as divine because all judgment is committed to Him (John 5:22-23 ). There will be two resurrections and two judgments by the Son (John 5:24-29 ). The judgment of the Son is just. He seeks not His own will but that of the Father. He judges what He hears and is true, based on His Father's will to which He is absolutely committed (John 5:30 ).

	Admission that witness of the Son to Himself is not sufficient without other witness (John 5:31 ).
	God the Father's witness to the Son is true (John 5:32 ).
	John the Baptist witnessed to the Son (John 5:33-35 ). John's witness should have been decisive for the Jews. It was not essential to Jesus (John 5:33-35 ). The purpose of John's witness was for them to be saved. Though John's lamp was a delight for a time, bringing light and hope, it was a dying lamp, for the main his repentance message was rejected.
	Miracles given by the Father were a greater witness (John 5:36 ).
	The Father spoke testimony to the Son at His baptism (John 5:37; Matthew 3:17 ).
	The Old testament Scripture bore witness to the Son (John 5:38-40 ).

	Because they would have to appreciate that Christ needed no glory from man, and accept that the Father had given glory to the Son (John 5:41-44 ).
	Because they would have to admit that Moses wrote of Jesus the Son (John 5:46 ).
	Because they would have to acknowledge that Moses, in whom they trusted, was their accuser (John 5:45 ).
	Because in the last analysis, they did not believe Moses (John 5:47 ).

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. When a healing word is spoken do you think it can be hindered by the sick one being far away? (John 4:46-54 ).
2. Do you believe that the faith of a father can lead his whole family into believing? (John 4:53 ).
3. Is there evidence of legalistic religion challenging the move of God among His people today? John 5:9,10).
4. What are you taught about the Son's relationship with the Father and what applications are there for your relationship? (John 5:19-30 ).