As before when Jesus performed the first miracle in Galilee, a feast (likely Passover) finds Him back in Jerusalem, only this time there will occur a clear breach with the ruling Jews who will set themselves on His death ( 5:16). It has been only a year since their last confrontation, but the seeds of their hostility have found fertile soil in the evil hearts of those in blind rule of the people. Their pride and hypocrisy will dictate their actions. However, Jesus knows that all things are in the Father's Plan ( 5:20), so He will not shy away. Confidently, He encounters the lame man by this famous and mysterious Pool. As He challenged them on their previous meeting a year earlier over the corruption of the Temple (God's House), He now will challenge them over their next held sacred institution -- the Sabbath. He will again demonstrate His authority over God's Work, and show that compassion and mercy have priority in His Father's affairs with men. Two major Truths will emerge from John's pen in this miracle we will discuss at this lesson's conclusion. But first let us consider these.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM THIS SABBATH MIRACLE.

Allow this illustration.

As a sperm penetrates an egg within a fertile maternal womb to produce a physical life, and that life is constantly nurtured for its continued viability, so too must one's faith come together with Christ's Word within the pliable heart of one before a spiritual life can occur. And it too must be nurtured within a pliable vessel for the continued viability of what has been produced. (Study Heb.4:2 with Rom.10:16-17.)

Therefore, hearing His word alone is not sufficient for new life, nor is mis or undirected faith. But, when the two are brought in close enough contact, and their affinity for one another joins them together -- instant regeneration is wonderfully experienced! Look at Rom.10:8 if you prefer not to accept my word: "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, that is the word of faith, which we preach [it is Jesus]; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised [quickened] Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved [born again]."

Consequently, by simply saying: I believe, therefore, I receive, then Jesus will enter the heart for new life, and it will be forever! Belief in Jesus for Eternal Life is what this is saying, or put another way, trusting Him for your forever future. He proved He is both capable (through His own Resurrection) and is worthy (because He succeeded)!

This was the crux of the matter. It was their age-old authority pitted against His. They had the traditions of the fathers, not to mention the authority of Moses and the lineage to Abraham. What could this Galilean Jew claim that was more ancient and superior to that with which He so confidently and boldly violated their most sacred Law? And when He checks them with the only possible higher authority than this -- the God of them all -- His Father, they were beside themselves. Their rage so inflamed their spirits that their senses were too dulled to hear His defense that followed -- words failing upon deaf ears. But Jesus did not cower from their ignorant hostility.