Christ is Always at Work in Us

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.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’ ” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 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.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

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 (John 5:10-18).

This all happened on the Sabbath. Jesus was well aware that it was the Sabbath. The diligent truth seeker will discover a divine plan here to reveal wonderful truth about Jesus Christ. He is God incarnate… “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The Spirit teaches this same truth through the pen of the apostle Paul… “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Colossians 1:19). Here, Jesus revealed Himself to be God dwelling with people in three precious ways. The Spirit teaches us today that when we rest In Him, Christ is always at work in us.

The Jews were absolutely correct… “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed”. It is absolutely true that God rested on the first Sabbath… “So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation” (Genesis 2:3). It’s also true that God is still working… “My Father is working until now“. God did indeed rest from His work “done in creation”. God is no longer doing creative work, but through Jesus Christ the Son God continues doing three important types of work. Jesus continues God's governing, sustaining, and redeeming work. And God invites us to come to Christ and to rest in Him so He can do His work in us… “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

When we stop living according to the ever changing rules of the world and surrender to the authority of God as revealed in His word, we find rest… “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30). When we submit to the governing work of Christ our hearts find peace because we are right with our sovereign God.

When we bring our needs to Jesus we know He will hear and answer our prayer at any time because He is always doing the sustaining work of God... “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). He wants to be the first person we run to when we are sick, hurt, oppressed, confused, or have any physical, emotional, or spiritual need. In healing the invalid by the Pool of Bethesda Jesus showed us that no matter what day of the week it is, where we are, or who’s looking on, He wants us to bring our need to Him so He can do God’s sustaining work in us, meet our need, and reveal the glory of God… “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Philippians 4:19-20).

Jesus did one more work in the invalid’s heart on this Sabbath. He forgave His sin… “Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you” (John 5:14). He did not care that it was the Sabbath or that the ever critical Jews were watching. Something much more important was at stake. Jesus wants us to know His forgiveness is always available to the repentant heart… “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

As we grow up into Christ we are blessed by His governing, sustaining, and forgiving work because…

Christ is Always at Work in Us.