John 5:14-16 -- Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” 15 The man went away, and informed the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on a Sabbath.
Jesus had healed the man. It was done, finished. The guy was walking around carrying his pallet. Talking with people but something was still missing...He didn't know who Jesus was.
The beauty we find in today's verses is Jesus wasn't through with him yet. The temporary had been fixed but there was something far more valuable Jesus had for this man. Knowing Him and being warned about sin.
Christian don't get so focused on the physical/temporary that we neglect the spiritual/eternal. Jesus healed the man, but He also addressed his sin and warned of the consequences if not taken seriously.
Another thing, it cost Jesus to go back and address this man. Once he knew who Jesus was, the man went to the religious authorities and told them who He was. We see, the name of Jesus being spread further, but at the cost of persecution.
We don't know the motivation of the man for going back to the authorities, but it was a serious offense in this day to violate religious laws for the Sabbath. Regardless of why, we see that him knowing Jesus, and sharing it, removed the penalty from his shoulders to Jesus'. What an amazing foreshadowing of exactly what Jesus would do on the cross.
Christian, there is a price for following Jesus and making His name known. True Christianity, following Jesus costs something. Christianity today is more about concert venues, worldly self-help seminars, feel good pep rallies, and country club social hangouts, than it is about denying self, taking up your cross, and following Jesus, no matter where He leads, no matter the cost. It's more about how you feel than it is about standing firm on the unchanging, immovable Word of God, shining light into the darkness of this world proclaiming Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Matthew 16:24 -- Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Matthew 8:19-20 -- Then a scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” Jesus *said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
John 15:20 -- Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
Luke 9:61-62 -- Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord [as Your disciple]; but first let me say goodbye to those at my home.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things left behind] is fit for the kingdom of God.”
2 Timothy 3:12 -- Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
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