Jesus intentionally healed the paralytic on the Sabbath Day … to tear down idolatrous abuse of that good day, to prioritize this poor man’s day of salvation, and to remind us that Jesus is the God who is always working so we can rest.
Much of Scripture comes to us through the theme of promise and deliverance, with the Old Testament characterized by the former and the New the latter. The resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the dead matches that grand theme.
When Jesus healed the paralytic who had found no help or mercy by the pool of Bethesda, He was calling the man to look away from self, systems, stuff, and society … to find wholeness in Christ alone.
Jesus’ ability to heal was not bound by a formula or protocol. So when He demonstrates His ability to heal an official’s son by speaking it, though his son was miles away, He reveals how He timely provides for our needs as well.
“Please stay, to tell us more about Jesus!” This is what all evangelists long to hear. Is this always our sign to stay around, and why did Jesus say no?!
As we close out this bold interview & divine appointment involving the woman of Sychar & our Master, what can we learn about evangelitic witness, from Him, from her, and from the relatively silent & absent disciples?
The woman of Sychar was highly distracted by things of this world, but Jesus continued to present Himself as the living water to quench her real thirst, then make her a fountain of that life for others.
Why is it that Jesus had to go through Samaria? Why didn’t the infamous impurity of that place & those people keep Jesus away? What more can we see about Jesus from this famous interaction?
Jesus publicly praised John the Baptist, hinting as great teachers do that we should strive to be like this “model.” Do you know, specifically, what Jesus found admirable about His cousin?
We should not penalize ourselves due to our “familiarity” with this most famous verse. Rather, we should look more intently into this big verse about a big God, big world, big love, & big faith requiring our big response.
Christ Covenant Church