9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.

10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.”

11 But he answered, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”

14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.”

— John 5:9-11; 14

33 For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.

— Lamentations 3:33

27 Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

28 Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

— Mark 2:27-28

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Abundant grace and mercy from God to you.

With Jesus’ divine healing and in response to Jesus’ power-filled commands, the lame man by the Pool of Bethesda was instantly healed. He picked up his mat and began to walk, demonstrating faith and obedience with action. Without physical therapy or gait training, his formerly lame legs sprang to life. This miracle took place on Sabbath. The newly healed man met immediate opposition as the religious leaders confronted him about carrying his mat on the Sabbath. Instead of rejoicing at this man’s glorious restoration, these religious leaders saw only his breaking the rules.

On the contrary, with purposeful compassion, Jesus sought out this lame man, granted him the physical healing and charged him not to sin. This physical healing points to the spiritual healing God has entrusted to His Son. All humans are born spiritually blind, paralyzed by sin, and unable to come to God on our own. Jesus has authority to heal bodies and forgive sin. As we trust in Jesus, He enables us to live for Him with all we say and do. How we thank Him as His compassionate invitation to sinners still continues: “Do you want to get well?”