Author: JRMITCH85

No matter where we look, it seems as if there is something that we are told that we should fear. Opposing sides of every argument tell us that if we don’t side with them, there will be some grave issue that we will unearth and fall victim to. This manufactured fear already amplifies and feeds upon the fact that there is natural uncertainty in the world. What are you afraid of? In this calendar year, we have had wildfires ravage multiple communities in Southern California, floods overwhelm multiple communities in the South, and all of this is in addition to the global economic uncertainty. This leads to the question: What do you cling to in times of uncertainty? Increasingly, the answer is that we often cannot find anything upon which we can find security. However, since you are reading or listening to this, you may have decided to give faith a try, and I don’t want to give you false hope, because even followers of Christ find that fear makes its way into their lives. Even the disciples were afraid of the authorities and clung to each other in the aftermath of Jesus’ crucifixion. However, on the first Easter Sunday, Jesus responds to that fear with a message that works to alleviate and dissipate their fear: “Peace be with you.”

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 20:19–23.

When faced with threats, either real or simply perceived, the human response is often profound fear, a state that typically gives rise to pervasive anxiety and a deep sense of powerlessness. This dynamic is clearly seen in the disciples’ reaction following the Crucifixion; they perceived the Jewish authorities as an immediate threat, and their resulting fear manifested as intense anxiety and helplessness. People today experience a similar phenomenon when various forces or circumstances loom as threats to well-being or security; even if the source is less defined, this fear still breeds significant anxiety and feelings of powerlessness. Sometimes, this sense of being powerless in the face of fear can lead to actions like scapegoating, an attempt to regain control by assigning a name or face to the threat. The disciples felt acutely powerless against potential arrest and persecution, showing that fear can paralyze and overwhelm. Their retreat to a locked room was a direct consequence of this fear-induced anxiety and powerlessness, an attempt to find security against the forces they felt unable to control. Similarly, modern individuals seek security—be it financial, social, or personal—often driven by the same need to counteract the anxiety and helplessness stemming from their fears. Into this atmosphere charged with anxiety and powerlessness born of fear, Jesus’ words, “Peace be with you,” directly addressed the disciples’ state, offering solace and salvation won on the Cross. This interaction underscores a timeless human need: finding peace of mind to counter the anxiety and sense of powerlessness that fear so often cultivates.

When we find ourselves gripped by fear, it’s significant that Jesus consistently responds not with judgment or rhetoric, but with a profound offering of peace. This pattern was evident in his immediate reaction to the disciples’ reaction out of their anxiety to ensure they were behind locked doors; his greeting “Peace be with you,” was far more significant than a simple greeting, rather it conveyed peace into their hearts as the present resurrected body of Christ stood before them. This Easter evening, “Peace be with you” complemented his declaration “It is finished!” from the cross, signifying that the peace of reconciliation and abundant life from God was now realized, and the blessings of God’s kingdom were realized through his death and resurrection. Jesus’ ability to appear despite the physical barrier of the locked doors—intended by the fearful disciples to keep perceived threats out—demonstrated the incomprehensible nature of his resurrected body. It was a powerful act of care, showing that their fear could not impede his presence. His arrival in their midst was an assurance that God’s presence would always remain. While the specific circumstances of the disciples differ from modern anxieties, the fundamental human experience of fear amidst uncertainty connects us to their story. Just as Christ met his disciples in their fear, offering peace, commissioning them, and bestowing the Holy Spirit, thereby transforming their fear into joy and providing purpose, individuals today facing uncertainty can similarly seek out God’s presence as a source of hope, meaning, and empowerment to navigate their own fears, recognizing the power of hope to overcome anxiety, all stemming from God’s foundational response of offering peace instead of condemnation.

Once fear is dispelled by the peace Christ provides, God’s people are truly empowered to fulfill their commission of sharing the Gospel. After Jesus appeared to his disciples, he addressed their fear by offering peace and showing his wounds. Then, He breathed on them, gifting them the Holy Spirit, a symbolic act that imparted life much like God breathing life into Adam. This empowering Spirit, identified by Christ in the power of the resurrection and promised before His death, provides believers comfort and peace, replacing fear and uncertainty with divine strength. Immediately following this impartation, Jesus sent His disciples out— “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you”—a mission the church continues by proclaiming reconciliation and peace with God, thereby offering a tangible manifestation of Jesus’ peace to a fearful world. Central to this mission is the authority Jesus granted to forgive sins, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld,” underscoring how the act of forgiveness, extended by the community breathed upon by Christ, is essential for bringing peace with God and others, releasing individuals from the burden of sin and overcoming the fear that prevents embracing the Gospel message.

Fear is all around us. We fear our neighbors and our future, and the world around us invokes a dread that leads to fear. None of us is immune to the rhetoric and situations that attempt to spark anxiety in our lives. It has been something that the Church has had to fight against for years. Far too many churches are simply just playing out their life cycle because they are afraid of what any change might mean. Fear paralyzes us. However, the antidote to fear is peace and hope. Both of these are found in Jesus. The scriptures remind us that perfect love drives out fear, and that is precisely what Jesus did that first Easter morning. Now we can lock the doors and live in fear, or draw nearer to the source of that perfect love. As we draw closer to Jesus, we are given peace and the power of the Holy Spirit that empowers the church to conquer fear and share the hope of the Gospel. Look at the world around you and notice that there are numerous people who are afraid and are looking for comfort in their homes, jobs, bank statements, government, and have come up empty. However, as followers of Christ, we must share Jesus’ words, “Peace be with you,” as we share the true hope and peace found in the resurrection on that first Easter Sunday.

With every new beginning or goal we set, we have to ask what the rationale is for making a change, or in some cases, why we keep going in the same direction. We must question, “What is your why?” In the social media context, everything is done to increase engagement, which could lead to more money made. However, this direction may prevent the content creator from speaking the truth or their true feelings. Similarly, the church can find itself seeking engagement to get more members and bring in more money. However, that can contradict God’s mission for the church in our communities. Therefore, the church needs to question its purpose and always ensure that it reflects the will of Christ Jesus. At the end of John 12, Jesus reminds His followers of His purpose: to bring salvation to humanity. Therefore, as we reflect upon the scripture below, we need to seek where God might call the church and its members to co-labor with Christ in sharing the Gospel. 

44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), John 12:44-50.

The advent of Jesus Christ in human history was not a random occurrence but the deliberate fulfillment of the salvation of humankind. This purpose originated from the very nature of God and addressed the separation caused by sin. The need for reconciliation was paramount, and Jesus’ coming was the ultimate expression of God’s redemption. His mission originated with the will of the Father. Thus, Jesus didn’t act independently but was perfectly united with God the Father, driven by love and desire to restore humanity. As such, Jesus’ mission was explicitly oriented towards redemption rather than condemnation. Even though humanity, through sin, deserves judgment, God intervenes through Christ to prioritize mercy and redemption. Jesus aimed to offer pure grace, bringing humanity back to God rather than retributive justice. Jesus clearly articulated this focus by stating, “I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.” The invitation extends to every person, in every era, reflecting God’s desire that none should perish but that all might find life through Christ. The care shown in this act reflects the boundless nature of God’s love and the sufficiency of Christ’s work for all people. Therefore, Jesus’ advent wasn’t about establishing guilt, which already existed, but about providing the remedy for all people.

He does not directly impose the judgment described in the teachings of Jesus but is instead a natural consequence of rejecting His words and the eternal truths they convey. Jesus explicitly stated that His mission was not to judge the world but to save it, emphasizing that His role was redemption rather than condemnation. However, He also clarified that the response to His words carries eternal significance. For those who hear His teachings and fail to believe or obey, Jesus does not judge them immediately. However, failure to obey the law and remain in sin repudiates Jesus’ message of hope. It thus underscores the authority of His message, which aligns perfectly with the will of the Father, who entrusted Him with the gospel of eternal life. To persist in faith and obedience is to live aligned with God’s salvation message, which promises everlasting life. Conversely, rejecting Jesus and His teachings ultimately leads to judgment, as sin inherently brings guilt, alienation from God, and spiritual death. However, the church must set its mission to align with God and share the message of grace that Jesus bore the ultimate judgment for sin on the cross, offering salvation through His obedience and sacrifice; those who refuse to accept this gift remain under condemnation by their own choice. Thus, while salvation remains Jesus’ primary aim, judgment is inevitable for those who reject Him, as His words testify to truth and life.

In contrast, Sin is fundamentally associated with darkness, a state of separation from and ignorance of God, while Jesus Christ embodies the pure, illuminating Light of God’s truth and presence. Because light inherently dispels darkness, the two cannot coexist; where Jesus truly abides, the darkness of sin must recede. Jesus Himself declared His purpose in coming into the world, stating, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” Revealing the natural condition of humanity as being enveloped in darkness—a spiritual blindness characterized by ignorance of God’s righteous judgment and limitless mercy. Jesus’ salvic actions offer deliverance from this state. Believing in Him, trusting in His identity and work, is the very means by which individuals are transferred from the realm of darkness into His marvelous light, thereby attaining salvation. By embracing the Light, people are freed from the darkness they were found in, fulfilling Jesus’ mission. Furthermore, this dynamic extends to those who follow Christ; just as He is the Light, His followers, collectively forming the church, are also commissioned to be lights in the world. Illuminated by Jesus through faith, their lives and actions reflect His light, showcasing good works that draw others not to themselves, but to glorify God.

Through the church’s active engagement in our communities, they must choose whether to primarily focus on the darkness of sin with a potentially alienating judgmental stance, or to intentionally bring the light of Christ through acts of love, grace, hope, and service. While acknowledging sin’s reality, the church’s purpose is to draw people closer to Jesus, not to condemn. Following Jesus’ lead in the passage. To carry out this task, the church must submit to humility, recognize our need for grace, and understand that salvation is God’s work through Christ. Therefore, believers are called not to save, but to be witnesses—sharing the Gospel message and demonstrating its transformative power through their lives, thereby showing the community the hope and love in Christ Jesus.

During seasons of anticipation such as Advent and Lent in the church, we are tempted to keep our eyes affixed on the end game, either Christmas or Easter. The anticipation mimics the child awaiting the gift under the tree or at their birthday. No matter how grand that finale might be, without dwelling in the waiting time, we will miss the tremendous beauty in the season leading up to Christmas or Easter. Advent and Lent are times of great reflection and anticipation, guiding us in preparation and living in the already, but not yet. Even though it is in our nature to always look toward a goal, and in many ways, setting goals toward which we work benefits us. However, without understanding how to live in the process of meeting the goal, we will deprive ourselves of learning, which may hinder us from reaching the goal. The benefit we have as Christ followers is that the goal is already met (by the death and resurrection of Jesus), so we don’t need to worry about the work. However, Jesus calls us to live as He lived so that we might be co-laborers with Him. Martha did not struggle with the labor aspect, but she did struggle to live in the comfort of what it meant to live in Christ, and rest in the hope of the resurrection. In the passage below, we will see how, when Jesus delayed traveling to Lazarus, and in doing so opened up Mary, Martha, and even Lazarus to an understanding that within Christ Jesus, we see that even when resurrection means hope for the future, Jesus embodies that hope as we live today. 

17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 11:17–27.

Walking with Jesus in the resurrection, there is a promise that death does not have the final word. The event of raising Lazarus itself serves as a powerful sign pointing to Jesus’ authority over death and the reality of resurrection life. After four days, when the body was thought to begin decomposing, it would generate a stench. This act of raising Lazarus foreshadows Jesus’ death and resurrection and demonstrates his power to bring life even after death has seemingly taken hold. The idea of death as “sleep” used by Jesus indicates a temporary state from which there will be an awakening, diminishing its sense of finality for believers. This is contrasted with one of the primary views of the Sadducees and some mainstream thought, where sleep often connoted a final state. Jesus’ perspective is bound up with God’s relation to his people and his role as the Son of God. The church holds onto this hope that resurrection after death is the source of our hope. We no longer fear death or what the world might do to us through war, pestilence, or disease because Jesus has entered the world to conquer death, and thus we share that hope with the world. 

The miracle of Jesus isn’t just about future resurrection; he is life for us right now, calling us to follow him in the present. Faith in Jesus grants access to this life immediately, even before we physically die. Jesus explained this to Martha, stating, “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). His words reveal that a present, eternal quality of life begins through faith, making physical death secondary. This life in faith means that the Christian existence in Christ is life before death, and not primarily something awaited, but the principle of life in the present. The raising of Lazarus serves as a key sign validating Jesus’ claims. By conquering death in the present, Jesus demonstrated that he truly is the resurrection and the life. The purpose of recording this event is to show Jesus leading followers in faith to believe. This life offered by Jesus is a profound spiritual reality. It’s described as a heavenly and divine life obtained by being born again through faith in Christ. Rooted in this union, this spiritual life will never be extinguished, but perfected in eternal life. Jesus requires a response of faith and, by implication, a commitment to follow him. Martha’s powerful confession— “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world”—stands as a pattern of the faith Jesus seeks.

Christ’s resurrection power over death and his ability to grant fulfilling life inspire faith within the church. This faith, in turn, emboldens believers to answer Christ’s call fully. Trusting in his power over death and his gift of true life should naturally motivate believers to align their actions with his teachings and purposes. The transformation seen in the disciples after the resurrection demonstrates how such faith strengthens conviction. Martha’s confession (John 11:27) serves as an ideal example. When she declared, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world,” she expressed deep faith in Jesus’s identity and authority. This kind of faith, resulting from encountering Christ’s power and promises, should define the church. Jesus provides the basis for living this way, and the promise of present life through faith allows believers to live with assurance and purpose today. It affirms that, as we live our Christian experience, living within Christ is life before death, not something we wait to come to fruition, but the principle of living now in the present.

In the passage, Jesus instructed Martha about what living in hope was about. Even in her grief, she mimicked what so many of us utter in our mourning, about how we have hope in the raising of a loved one in the resurrection, and while not incorrect in her assertion, Jesus pointed out that she was missing out on what God was about to do right there. Thus, when confronting something hard like grief, God reminds us that we must continue living in the presence of hope. Hope is not just in the resurrection but also in living here in the already but not yet. In the present, we see God’s Glory in part, but the future will tell us a more complete picture; however, that means that we need to strive to live, observe, and dwell in the richness of God’s presence right now. Therefore, we don’t just sit waiting for the finish and end times, but God calls for us to live life to the fullest. When Jesus tells us that He is the resurrection and the life, He is commanding us not just to sit and wait to die, but that He has a plan for us, and it is to live an abundant life right now. Even though we might look at all the goodies under the tree, or the glory that awaits us at the resurrection, Jesus does not dissuade us from looking forward with anticipation, but instead He adds the instruction that we need to live, to work, and to continue to grow in faith as we await the resurrection, and Christ coming again.

While walls look imposing and prevent neighbors from regularly interacting, they also work great to keep pets safe in our yards. Whenever we let our animals out, I ensure all our gates are shut so they can enjoy running free in a safe environment where other animals or people cannot access and where they cannot accidentally run out and get hurt by running in the street. Our work ensures their security, keeping the walls secure and the gate shut. The church also works to keep our members and community safe. Since a relationship with God requires intimacy, the church must be trustworthy for people to share. We follow Christ’s call to welcome people to the gate and lead them to an encounter with Jesus. Once inside the walls, we ensure that they remain safe from the wolves that try to pull people away from the gospel and toward politics or some other endeavor. This activity follows Jesus as He led his followers toward an understanding that God’s concern for people was like leading them as a shepherd leads sheep and as someone who protects them at the gate, ensuring their safety. In the passage below, Jesus reminds the people that many want to take advantage of the vulnerable. In contrast, Jesus offers comfort and protection willingly, sacrificing His freedom for the benefit of humanity. 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” 

19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 10:1–21.

The declaration made by Jesus that He is the door or the gate through which the sheep enter into the fold points us to the reality that Jesus is the gate to a relationship with God, and we are guided to God’s mission through Jesus’s sacrificial love. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lays down his life for his sheep, demonstrating ultimate care and sacrifice. This act of sacrifice, done out of love for the Father, is essential for the salvation of humankind. As the legitimate way to enter the kingdom of God, Jesus provides salvation, security, and nourishment. Through Jesus, humanity can encounter God because the sins that once separated humanity are dealt with on the cross. Thus, the church’s role is to guide people toward Jesus, emphasizing his sacrificial love. All teachings and leadership should be interpreted through the filter of Christ. Anything contrary to Jesus must be discarded.

When looking for any instruction about how the church should lead Christ’s flock, we find Jesus models how the church should lead people to the gate so they are not persuaded to jump the walls. Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, provides the model for leadership within the church. True leaders are those who enter by the door and are genuinely called and commissioned by God, and whose priority is the well-being of the flock, even to the point of self-sacrifice. This contrasts sharply with the false shepherds who are self-serving and neglectful and seek their glory rather than the good of those they lead. The church is called to recognize and follow true shepherds who embody Christ’s character and be wary of those who do not. God intends to unite people from all nations into one flock, guided by one shepherd, as indicated by Jesus’s teaching about other sheep. Therefore, this teaching highlights the church’s mission to adopt a global perspective, extending the message of salvation to those outside the fold, which traditionally referred to Israel but now includes Gentiles. The church’s unity is rooted in a shared connection with Christ, not in conforming to a single cultural or ethnic identity. Therefore, the church should strive to collaborate with all people, regardless of their origin or background, and demonstrate that God’s peace comes from Jesus’s love and care for us. Our words and actions must reflect those of Christ because the flock knows the voice of the Shepherd; therefore, if the church doesn’t sound like Jesus, the flock will not follow. 

In perfect obedience to His Father’s command and His divine mission, Jesus intentionally and willingly sacrifices His freedom to fulfill God’s plan. His entire life and ministry purposefully led to the ultimate act of obedience – sacrificing Himself for His sheep. When the wolves come to take the sheep, Jesus steps in to willingly sacrifice for their relationship with the  Father. This behavior acts in stark contrast to thieves and robbers who prioritize self-preservation over the well-being of the sheep. As the good shepherd, Jesus intentionally chooses to face danger and lay down His life for His flock, demonstrating sacrificial love. The church must follow His example and be intentional in sharing the Gospel, even when facing danger. We are called to actively demonstrate God’s mercy and lead others to Jesus, the gate through which we access the Father.

Jesus’ declaration as both the gate and the good shepherd encapsulates the essence of His divine mission and the path to salvation. As the gate, He provides the exclusive entry into a relationship with God, offering security, nourishment, and eternal life to those who enter through Him. As the good shepherd, Jesus exemplifies sacrificial love, willingly laying down His life for His flock. This dual role demonstrates His supreme authority and His intimate care for humanity. Following Christ’s example, the church is called to guide people towards this gate with intentionality and sacrificial love. It must reflect Jesus’ voice in both word and deed, ensuring that all teachings align with His message. By embodying Christ’s character and mission, the church becomes a beacon, leading people from all nations to the one true shepherd. This global vision of unity in Christ transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries, emphasizing the universal nature of God’s love and salvation. Ultimately, Jesus’ intentional sacrifice, rooted in obedience to the Father’s will, sets the standard for Christian living and ministry. The church is challenged to demonstrate this same level of commitment, facing potential dangers and putting aside self-preservation for the sake of God’s mission. Doing so faithfully leads others to the gate, where they can experience the transformative power of God’s love and mercy through Jesus Christ.

As fires erupted in Southern California this past January, the discourse was riddled (and largely still is) with questions swirling around who is at fault. Every time I went to the news or social media to find out information about what was going on, I encountered more vitriol and accusations than actual news, and I did not even achieve a modicum of understanding about what was happening. Unfortunately, that is the current climate of discourse, and many people are walking away from any engagement because they see too many voices caring more about scoring points for their side than the humanity across the table. The reality is that there were numerous victims of this horrible tragedy, and instead of looking upon them as points to score on their opponents, the church must view them as beloved children of God and seek to help them in their suffering. Even as the disciples were walking beside Jesus, they fell into the discourse trap and could not get out of their own heads as they struggled to understand Jesus’ purpose. Their thoughts went to how they could answer the theological questions rather than living out the life of faith as Jesus demonstrates. However, Jesus corrects them with words and actions, as Jesus brought healing and transformation of the body in this passage below. 

1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), John 9:1-12.

Ultimately, we need to learn to ask better questions of God. The initial question of the disciples, “Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” is uncharitable, unnecessarily curious, and based on the assumption that suffering is always a punishment for sin. In the disciples’ inquiry, we find the reflection of a common belief spread by the teachers of the day. This is a misguided question, as sin before birth is incomprehensible, and why would this be the punishment for the sin of his parents? Further, the disciples had seen Jesus heal someone with paralysis. They must have been familiar with what caused the paralysis, as they knew of Christ’s earlier teachings and interactions with the sick. Therefore, instead of relying upon Jesus, the disciples engaged in popular theology. The way they asked the question brought Jesus’ attention to them, instead of them affixing their eyes upon Jesus’ caring response to suffering. They asked outward questions, looking at man as an object, while Jesus corrected their assumptions by directing them to the power of God that would be revealed at this moment. Instead of seeking answers to win the theological arguments, Jesus wants us to ask questions that will prompt us to act so that we might reveal God’s work in the church. Our questions should prompt action over discourse.

Jesus’ actions bring healing in an unorthodox manner, which is often a messy endeavor. The blind man was healed through unconventional methods, such as spitting on the ground to make clay and then anointing the man’s eyes. Applying mud to the eyes would seemingly make the man more blind. Thus, physical healing occurred in a way that no one would expect, but Jesus used this to highlight God’s work of sending and healing. Jesus directs the man to wash in the Pool of Siloam, which is interpreted as “Sent”. As Jesus sends the man, he ultimately directs the man to Himself as the one sent by God. Sending the blind man to wash in the pool of Siloam allowed the man to be obedient. The man does not question the method, but obeys the command. Healing often comes in ways that are contrary to our understanding. It may involve us getting dirty and working with our hands in an even counterintuitive way. However, when we participate in the healing God wants for our communities, it requires us to submit to the sending of Christ.

The world does not know what to do with the miraculous. After the man’s sight was restored, his neighbors immediately confronted him, who were astonished and even doubted his identity. However, when the man affirmed his identity, they pressed him to explain how his eyes had been opened. His simple account of Jesus’ actions and his obedience to wash in the pool of Siloam was met with further inquiry about the whereabouts of Jesus, whom the man could not identify. Their bewilderment was because they needed a rational explanation for an event that defied their understanding. Just as the neighbors had differing opinions, our ministry will likely be met with a spectrum of reactions, from disbelief and skepticism to curiosity and even acceptance. Not everyone will readily believe or understand the transformative power of God. We must be patient with those we share the Gospel with, as the miraculous nature of grace goes beyond normal comprehension and takes time to absorb. Even the healed man’s initial understanding of Jesus was limited. The best he could initially do was mention a man named Jesus, and it took him interactions with others to begin the comprehension of who Jesus is and the power of what he encountered directly. Similarly, it is crucial to recognize that those we minister to may not immediately grasp the complete identity and significance of Jesus. Growth in faith is a process, and we need to make that space available to those we share Jesus with.

As we contend with our friends and neighbors, we cannot view each other as allies and enemies, but rather co-laborers with Christ in sharing the Gospel in the world. Jesus didn’t go to the cross so that we might become more right than our neighbors, but rather His sacrifice was so that we could share that Good News with everyone. Therefore, as members of His body, we must sacrifice a debate victory to share with people that God loves them, wants to see them healed, and wants them to be victorious over sin. It may not always look the same or the way we think it should, but Christ’s intention for our community is to share the Good News. Therefore, as followers of Jesus, we must allow our hearts to be moved by people who need to hear Jesus’ proclamation about returning sight to the blind, breaking the bonds of injustice, and fighting for the marginalized people. The church’s work doesn’t stop with sharing the Gospel, because the world will not understand God’s intentions for creation. Jesus calls us to walk beside those who find transformation and healing in the Gospel and continue to carry out God’s care for them. It isn’t about accumulating numbers, but rather it is about walking with and caring for people, because that is what God calls the church to do in all circumstances. God’s work in and through us comes so that God’s works might be revealed.

If we show up at a party, in the different group dynamics, there will inevitably be someone who seems aloof and pulled away from everyone else in a group setting. Group dynamics dictate several thoughts that might run across our minds. Some might view the person negatively as “stuck-up” while others see it as a sign of shyness. However, we judge the person with no further information regardless of what might go through our minds. In some occasions, the host will come up with a contrived game or mixer, which is usually introduced into the dynamic to draw out the wallflowers. In my youth ministry era, I dreaded these the most. The nature of using something designed for fun and used to attempt engagement always took away the enjoyment of the activity and short-circuited the attempt to engage with someone at their own pace. We try many contrived things to get the desired result, like getting a middle school kid engaged in youth group, but Jesus warns us that sharing the transformation of the gospel message must begin with reaching people’s hearts. The law was God striving after people’s hearts; therefore when approaching the law, we must understand that it is not intended to destroy, but to bring all people closer to God. Thus, we cannot use it in any contrived way; instead, we must look at it as an opportunity to know more about Jesus. The scribes and Pharisees tried to trap Jesus using the law by lurking and finding someone trapped in sin. They made Jesus choose between compassionate mercy and strict adherence to the rule of law. Move in one direction, and Jesus disobeyed the law; move in another, and Jesus made trouble with Rome. However, the scribes and Pharisees cared less about Jesus’ decision and more about causing Him trouble.

2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), John 8:2-11.

Those intent on accusation often have an ulterior motive. Therefore, if our first instinct is accusation, we must examine our hearts. The accusers attempted to trap Jesus between upholding the law and showing compassion. Jesus’s response showed adept understanding of their tension and perfectly embodies both. Christ’s answer kept both in the framework of righteousness, not departing from gentleness. He transformed the trap into a snare for the accusers. The accusers were self-righteous and hypocritical, more concerned with trapping Jesus than with genuine justice or personal holiness. Jesus’s statement, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her,” exposes their sinfulness and silences their accusations. Proper judgment should begin with self-examination. People should assess their motives and moral standing as Christ calls on us, before pointing out someone else’s sin. In approaching any condemnation of sin, we must first humble ourselves by recognizing the depth of our failings and connect with how we need Christ to respond to us. Our shortcomings lead us to use judgment as a distraction, but Christ calls out in these moments to open our hearts to compassion and grace.

We must realize we require grace because of our sin and ongoing struggle to follow Jesus’ command to “Go and sin no more.” Grace allows us to draw closer to Jesus, while the law demands strict justice and punishment for sin. Jesus, while not abolishing the Law, offers forgiveness and a chance for a new life. Interacting with the woman, Christ brings us the law of grace, which frees sinners from punishment. Jesus does not condone the woman’s sin but offers her forgiveness and a call to repent. His command underscores the importance of turning away from sin. By the same word of God, when forgiveness is offered to us, we are also called to repent. However, this exhortation looks forward to the future, requiring sinners to acknowledge their sin, as we walk in the light of grace. While this passage does not eliminate our ability to call out sin when we see it, it does require us to hold onto compassion in one hand while looking upon sin, as we recognize our sinfulness. Through this perspective we connect with those entrapped by sin, and walk with them toward Jesus’ command to go and sin no more. Jesus sat with and walked with sinners, so that in contrast, their sin might be revealed. Our mission is to sit and walk with sinners so that they might draw closer to Christ and have their sin uncloaked and given to Christ.

We draw closer to our need for Christ’s salvation through the law, because the law serves to remind us that we are sinful and unable to save ourselves. In this passage, the law was used as a trap and a reminder to the woman that she was worthless. However, Christ intervenes and speaks directly into the accusers’ lives through the law’s power. Through the law they were not justified, therefore they could not understand how that justice should be carried out clearly. Though righteous, the law reveals humanity’s shortcomings and inability to adhere to its standards. The law condemns the adulterous woman, and by extension, it also convicts her accusers of their sins, demonstrating that all are sinners. However, the grace offered by Christ isn’t a dismissal of sin, but rather an empowerment to overcome it. The command to “go and sin no more” emphasizes that forgiveness leads to a changed life, guided by the Spirit. The danger for the church is to connect the accusers and the stones with the law. Unfortunately, many in the church take it as our responsibility to carry out the law and to bring condemnation. The reality is that Jesus, in perfection, represents the law, but in His mercy He also embodies grace. Our mission as the church is to guide people to the law through Christ’s embodiment of grace, just as we approach the law through the lens of God’s grace on the cross.

Holding in tension mercy and justice, Jesus looks upon the accusers and the woman. With sincerity, he asks the crowd to examine themselves and determine their ability to judge righteously, and one by one, they turn away. With compassion, he allows the woman to see that none of the accusers remain and offers her the most pleasant words, telling her, “Neither do I condemn you.” We must offer peace to people dealing with accusations and belittling for far too long. We don’t know much about this woman’s history. Still, a set of circumstances had likely led her toward being an object of lust and adultery, and we know nothing of the man that was a co-participant in the adultery. She was an easy target, and when people look for accusations they often pick the easy targets. Jesus didn’t take the bait. This passage reinforces the need to speak truth in love, balancing justice with compassion. Any word of judgment, healing, or cleansing the church seeks to speak that is not spoken in the name of Jesus Christ is a false, empty word. It has no authority. It is only by His name and by His authority that we can say, “Go and sin no more.” The church must respond with compassion and utilize the law as a device that brings people closer in relationship, and not a hammer to beat people over the head. We can’t get to the command to go and sin no more without first hearing Jesus say, “Neither do I condemn you.”

Who are you? So many of us struggle to identify ourselves. We find ourselves not fully identifying with one group or another, because unlike what we see portrayed in media, most of us don’t perfectly fit into the boxes society tries to assign us. Unfortunately, when people learn a couple things about us, they may ultimately try to place us into categories that may not accurately represent our personalities. Only those closest to us truly can ascertain the nuances in our character that offer a more refined picture of us. Similarly, as we approach faith, we are filled with many notions about Jesus from the people around us. If someone led us to faith in Christ, their beliefs and doctrines will shade how we believe. Similarly, when we read a book or hear a sermon, they will influence the way we believe. However, as we grow in faith, we need to draw closer to Jesus, and although the books and sermons influence our thinking, Jesus and the Holy Spirit draw us closer and are paramount to our faith walk and journey. The people of Jerusalem were caught between what the religious leaders said about Jesus and what they witnessed with their own eyes. They found themselves questioning what was happening around them, and into this confusion Jesus speaks and addresses the uncertainty. 

25 Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? 26 And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? 27 But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” 28 So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. 29 I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” 30 So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. 31 Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?” 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), John 7:25-31.

The divinity of Jesus is key to our understanding of His mission and what that means for our world. The Jerusalemites failed to grasp the true nature of Jesus’ claims and mission, they interpreted His words through pre-conceived notions about the Messiah. Through the teaching of the Pharisees, they were blinded and earthbound by ignorance, prejudices, and incapacity to think in the spiritual terms Jesus speaks. There was a prevalent misinterpretation of Malachi 3:1 and portions of Isaiah 53 that the Messiah would appear out of nowhere. This created a belief that no man would know where the Messiah would come from. Their logic is this: Since they know Jesus is from Nazareth, He cannot possibly be the Messiah. However, Jesus proclaims that His mission is staked in history because He comes forth from God. Thus the Messiah’s mission begins with God in heaven, which is the ultimate difference between the sending of prophets and Jesus. The man of Nazareth is from heaven, illustrating the mystery of the Incarnation. Jesus’s works are the Father’s, thus proving His divine mission. Jesus further asserts that God sent him and His knowledge of the Father shows an intimacy that could only have divine origin. Through this connection Jesus highlights the ignorance of those questioning Him, suggesting they do not know God.  We mustn’t fall into the trap of ignorance of Christ’s mission. There are signs all around us of the glory of God, but we cannot be trapped in misinterpreting those signs because we are not in tune with our relationship with God. Like in Jerusalem, many people believe in Jesus because of the witnessed miracles. However, if we cling more to anything than the words and deeds of Jesus, then we stand in God’s way instead of participating in the mission. 

However, God’s will cannot be thwarted, but it must inspire followers to have confidence in aligning with Christ in the face of the world’s powers. The religious authorities were enraged by Jesus’ claims, as they tried to seize Him, but they ultimately were unable to succeed because God’s established time had yet to arrive. This highlights God’s sovereignty and the predetermined timing of events in Jesus’ life and evidences the invincibility of God’s promises and plans. The Proverbs remind us that “There is no wisdom, understanding, or counsel against the Lord” (Prov. 21:30). God had decreed that the Savior should be betrayed by a familiar friend and sold for thirty pieces of silver, thus these men couldn’t seize Him. They could no more arrest Christ than they could stop the sun from shining. Even when Jesus’ words and deeds divided the people, as some rejected Him outright, while others began to believe, God was working to bring all of those that were going to accept Christ. Therefore, when the Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring, they still desired to take Jesus to limit His effect in Jerusalem and throughout Israel, but God’s plan prevailed. Therefore, we must courageously deliver the gospel message regardless of who is listening. Even when the gospel meets opposition, good can still be done. Faithful followers of God’s truths should expect to be hated and persecuted by those who feel tormented by their testimony, just as His first followers also experienced the pressures and hostility. Though opposition and persecution may arise, but God’s plan will prevail.

With this in mind, as Christ’s followers, we must be wise in judging what we follow and adopt. Our thoughts must align with Jesus, not the strong, powerful, or popular. Although the inhabitants of Jerusalem knew of the plot to kill Jesus, they questioned why the rulers weren’t acting on it, wondering if the rulers knew Jesus was the Christ. However, they dismissed this possibility because they held onto the taught interpretation that since they knew where Jesus came from, and assuming the Messiah would appear without known origins. This demonstrates a reliance on popular belief rather than openness to the truth. Jesus urges people to stop judging according to appearances and instead judge with the mind granted them by the Almighty. The challenge of Jesus’ claim to be the bearer of God’s revelation requires an answer from everyone. Where are we looking for answers? The problem lies in their reliance upon the interpretations of the religious elites instead of examining the heart of scripture. Truth about God requires a relationship with Christ. Although many voices will try to tell us how we should interpret or discern the scriptures or the movement of the Spirit, we must rely upon faith to guide us, because knowing where Christ is from requires faith and spiritual discernment, not just knowledge of earthly origins. Today, it’s a reminder to seek a deeper, spiritual understanding of faith rather than relying solely on superficial knowledge or traditions. 

At the heart of our following of Christ is an understanding of Jesus’s divine origin. This helps us grasp that His mission and its implications for the world are salvic at their core. This mission distinguishes Jesus from the prophets before because they illuminate a calling that could only be carried out by an Incarnate God. Many of us fail to recognize Jesus’s true nature due to preconceived notions, ignorance, prejudice, and an inability to think spiritually. A reliance on literal interpretations and popular beliefs causes people to misinterpret scripture and Jesus’s claims. While these misinterpretations or reliance upon false narratives might seem to thwart God’s plan, God’s purpose for Jesus’ life is sovereign and invincible. Attempts to hinder it are futile, as demonstrated by the authorities’ inability to seize Jesus until the timing of God was fulfilled. Therefore, our understanding of Jesus begins with relying on faith and spiritual discernment, not relying on earthly knowledge or popular interpretations. Unfortunately, people will consistently attempt to use skewed teaching to lead us astray or even strike at us. Still, our faith will consistently guide us toward the truth and a life led by Jesus, guiding us continually to asking the question, “What does Jesus say?”

Fear leads to anxiety and allows our minds to drift quickly to the worst-case scenario. We think about the myriad of things we might lose and have trouble discerning reality from the actionable things directly in front of us. Instead of focusing on the things we can control, we throw our hands up and yield everything to fear. There is a sense that fear leads us to forget the depth of our knowledge and experience and instead limit ourselves to only what is directly in front of us. Fear makes us impetuous and chase ghosts. It was this behavior that took over after Jesus had fed the five thousand. Jesus feeds thousands, then walks on water. Unquestionably divine. But the narrative doesn’t end in triumphant praise. Instead, the people sought to use Jesus for their ends instead of just being in awe of the presence of the Son of God. Just as the masses got distracted by their desires for Jesus, our distractions reveal our misplaced focus and the truth about our hearts. The fear of Rome and even of the sea allows the people and the disciples to distract themselves from the Gospel message present in the life of Christ.

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately, the boat was at the land to which they were going.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), John 6:16-21.

The people’s focus shifted after witnessing Jesus miraculously feed the five thousand. They urged Jesus to become a conquering king, aligning Him with their desires for physical deliverance from the Romans rather than embracing His message of spiritual liberation and peace. Their fears of Rome took paramount importance in their minds rather than the spiritual liberation Jesus provided. Similarly, the disciples’ journey through the stormy sea after leaving the miracle also symbolizes the Church’s trials. The storm represents the rise of errors, terrors, and iniquity. Fixating on these hardships can harden hearts, causing forgetfulness of past blessings and limiting expectations for answered prayers. Fear blinds us from. Despite Jesus’ extraordinary acts, we are easily distracted by life’s storms. When we follow Christ, our focus should not solely be His actions during our struggles. Though He may sometimes feel distant, He is always ready to reach out with comfort, healing, and love.

Jesus walking on the water is a manifestation of God’s power over nature, reminiscent of the Exodus, revealing God coming to aid His people in distress. Jesus calmed their fears by saying, “It is I; do not be afraid,” which serves as a divine self-affirmation, echoing the divine name spoken in Exodus. He did this amid terrifying problems that lacked an easy solution and befuddled the disciples; Jesus thus gives the powerful assurance of His presence and brings peace that overcomes fear. The disciples’ experience teaches believers that Christ is present and aware of struggles, even in the darkest and stormiest times. Believers are encouraged to maintain faith and patience, continue their duties, and look to Jesus, who controls the situation. Christ’s message speaks to us throughout history, reaching deep into any darkness surrounding us and calming us with His presence. Christ’s presence continues with us today. Even when we struggle with the distractions around us, we are called to raise our gaze, reminding us that even when we are off balance and lacking direction, Christ commands nature around us so that we know we are in the presence of the Almighty.

When Christ is present, believers have grounds for confidence, calmness, and ease. This is because He sources of propitiation and salvation. The ship in the story prefigures the Church, suggesting that the Church can move forward with Christ even when facing storms and darkness. A renewed hope and power can be experienced through Christ’s presence despite the failings of the structure and organization. This power enables the church to serve a world plagued by fear and despair. The Church provides reassurance to overcome the world’s sorrow by sharing Christ’s presence and message. Due to our assurance in Christ, we are allowed to enter situations without fear, bringing Christ to those struggling through challenging and uncertain circumstances. Just as Jesus’ presence in the disciples’ boat led them safely to the other side, we also can be assured that Jesus’ presence will always bring us to our destination. This highlights that assurance in Christ empowers believers to overcome fear, and the Church is tasked with extending this assurance to others.

Much like the boat that carried Christ, the Church will safely reach its destination. Although the world is full of fear and despair, the Church carries Christ’s message and presence, which provides assurance and hope. This reminds people that Christ offers confidence, calmness, and ultimate deliverance, allowing them to overcome fear and find peace. Christ’s presence is a constant source of comfort and control even when the storms of life engulf us. When consumed by fear, we become easily distracted from the core message of Christ. This misplaced focus leads us to pursue temporary solutions and self-serving desires, missing the spiritual deliverance and peace that Christ offers through his presence. Therefore, the church’s mission must be to set aside fear, embrace the Gospel message, and share the presence of the Almighty with our world as they face uncertainty.

God has placed all of us in community with one another. However, one thing we do best is find ways that separate us and cause us to isolate ourselves from the community. The original purpose for a set of rules and regulations often has a place in determining how we can best work together and keep everyone in a situation where we all can thrive without taking advantage of someone or being taken advantage of by another. However, issues arise when the rules become more important than the rationale for the rules. The ease of reading a set of rules and determining that this is the best way to live leads people to fall into more devotion to the rule easily and ignore that the rule was placed for a specific purpose. 

The Pharisees had an unhealthy devotion to the rules and lacked the compassion necessary to understand the purpose, so they treated people harshly. Several times in the Gospels, they clash with Jesus over the Sabbath, lacking the understanding that the rules concerning the Sabbath were for man to embrace rest rather than for man to be overburdened by their regulations. In John 5, Jesus offered healing to a man on the Sabbath who had been afflicted for nearly four decades, but the primary concern of the Jewish leaders was the violation of Sabbath codes. However, Jesus confounded those leaders with His response that reminded them that God created the Sabbath for humanity, not the other way around.

15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” 18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), John 5:15-18.

The Pharisees were more concerned with enforcing their rules than with the well-being of the healed man. They criticized the man for carrying his bed, which they considered a violation of the Sabbath, but they showed no interest in his healing or the implications of Jesus’ power. The Pharisees didn’t show concern for the man’s suffering. The rules that forbid healing on the Sabbath were of less importance than the man; in contrast, Jesus saw him for who he was. Jesus’ actions were driven by compassion, and that love and compassion should take priority over legalism. Jesus looked upon the man and offered relief because he saw his suffering.  While rules and order certainly have a place within the church, there must never be a situation where we don’t show compassion for the sake of these rules. People are more valuable to God than any rule or law. God commands us to recognize suffering and pain and to work with all our might to strive to alleviate this from people who walk into our path. This tact doesn’t ignore the rules but reminds us that people come first before any rule. 

Jesus defends his Sabbath healings, stating, “My Father has been working until now, and I am working.” This suggests that God’s work of sustaining the universe and acting with grace towards people in need is continuous, even on the Sabbath.  Sabbath was meant for rest, worship, and celebration before God, but it had become a rigid institution filled with regulations. Jesus’ work of healing is aligned with the work of his Father; thus, it is also a work of mercy. The Pharisees missed the true intent of the Sabbath, which was to show God’s mercy and grace, as opposed to adhering to strict legalism. The priority of compassion over legalism indicates that works of mercy do not require rest. God initiated the Sabbath, and its importance is highlighted in the ten commandments handed down to Moses. However, the intention of the Sabbath is to do good, and if we neglect doing good work for the sake of following strict adherence, we miss the mark, which is quite literally sin. The followers of Christ must allow Christ’s examples of healing and doing good to be the priority over strict adherence to rules.

The healing at the pool illustrates God’s grace. The pool itself is called Bethesda, meaning mercy, and is located near the sheep gate, symbolizing the mercy obtainable through Christ. This connects physical healing to spiritual healing; just as the man was healed by grace, so are people saved by grace through faith. The man didn’t earn his healing but was given it freely, just as God’s gift of eternal life is for sinners. Jesus’s claim that God is his Father and that he is one with the Father is not just a statement of shared purpose but a claim to equality with God. The religious leaders found it blasphemous, but it is central to the idea that salvation comes through Christ’s divine nature, not through following the law. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, our connection to God comes through faith, not the law. Since we are saved through faith and not law, our focus should be on adhering to the message of the Gospel and sharing it with the world. We need to spend less time worrying about where to draw the line on sin and focus on the ideals Christ gave us by showing each other mercy and love.

We cannot allow our biases to lift the law over compassion and work for the Gospel in the world; just as Jesus worked on the Sabbath, we are called to work for people’s healing and reconciliation, even if doing so might cause us to transgress laws and regulations. Spending our time arguing about where the line is concerning sin blinds us from God’s purpose for sending Christ, which is to save the world from sin, not put up guard rails against transgression. Christ’s mission was to show mercy to the world, not proclaim judgment over it. The church is invited to proclaim that we are working with Christ, especially when confronted by gatekeepers to the faith, because through the mercy and love of the Almighty God, the gates have been flung open to all those who put their faith in Christ and not the law. Jesus’ message is dangerous to those clinging to systems that have thrived off of strict adherence to regulations, which sees only a limited group accessing a relationship with God because Jesus opens up salvation to the world. It would be a shame if, instead of embracing the work Jesus invites us into with His mercy and love, we decided to oppose Christ and try to tell God what is and isn’t okay. Just as the Father is working, Jesus is working, and the Holy Spirit is working, may the church work with God, breaking down the barriers and sharing the Gospel.