John 5:17-47 | What's the connection?

Whenever we have sections that are divided up in the center of the narrative, we must look back to that immediate context. As we have looked at this passage, we see the reality that Jesus is simply doing what His Father has instructed for Him to do. So when the Jews approach Jesus about the healing on the Sabbath and instructing the man to take up his mat and walk, there is really one response to be given. The Father instructed for that to happen.

There are many scholars that look at this particular healing account with a degree of bafflement. What we see throughout most of the Gospel accounts is people coming to Jesus for healing, rather than Him seeking them out. But in this case, it seems deliberate. There may have been hundreds of people gathered around this pool, having their respective ailments, hoping they can be made well. Jesus could have approached any of them, but He didn't. He approached the one. Why? We are never directly told, but the following verses (the section we are covering now) gives me an idea. The Father wanted the Son to do so and the Son obeyed.

All of the works that Jesus had done and this particular discourse comes right back in agreement with the original statements made in chapter 1 of the book of John. This light gave life to men. This Word has the authority over creation. We see the testimony that Jesus is on full display. God has come and dwelt with man. Praise the Lord!

What connections are you seeing?