John, chapter 5

Today's lesson focuses on the hypocrisy of mankind. Whenever I read about the Pharisees I can't help but get angry. These were people that were supposedly men of God. They were responsible for leading the faith of Israel, yet they were corrupt and blind. They led thousands, if not millions of people, yet they were such a poor example that they chose to persecute and eventually kill the very Son of God in their midst. They were so focused on their own power and greed that they failed to recognize the very reason they held that power in the first place. A prime example is the story that is the focus of today's lesson.

⁷"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."

⁸Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." ⁹At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, ¹⁰and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat." – John 5: 7-10

Are you serious? I cannot believe the short-sightedness here. Jesus performs a miracle, proving that he has divine power, and they are more concerned that this guy is carrying a mat on the Sabbath. Sure it is fine for them to conspire to kill someone (grossly ignoring that little 'Thou Shalt not kill' rule they believe in), but how dare someone perform work on the Sabbath. They are ignoring one of the Ten Commandments to come down heavily enforcing another. I can't believe the ridculousness in this. Jesus even had a great answer for them.

¹⁹Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. ²⁰For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. ²¹For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. ²²Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, ²³that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. – John 5:19-23

This is how we know the authority that Jesus carried. It came directly from the Father. He wouldn't have been able to do anything that he did without the authority of the Father. This is where the fully god, yet fully man paradox comes in. We know that Christ was not boasting in these statements. He is fulfilling prophesy by simply stating where His power came from. He backs it up too, and there was nothing the Pharisees could do to stop it. As we know, even the grave couldn't contain Him.