John 5:1-29 All About God's Sovereignty

Out of all the people suffering and waiting for healing at the pool at Bethesda, Jesus picked out one man to bestow grace upon.  The man had done nothing to deserve healing, and many others were not healed.  He didn’t even know Who’d healed him until later.  There’s no evidence that he even became a Christian as a result.  To me this points us to the sovereignty of God, Who can do what He pleases for whom He pleases.  “Unlike the healed blind man in John 9, this man was not excommunicated,” my commentary said regarding his later discussions with Jewish authorities.  To the religious leaders, his only sin appeared to be carrying his mat on the Sabbath, when he’d never been able to walk before!  Yet Jesus had healed him.  “It’s possible to experience an exciting miracle and still not be saved and go to heaven!” my commentary added.

Jesus claimed here to be equal with God by calling Him “My Father”.  He spoke of being equal in His works, equal in executing judgment, equal in having honor, and He claimed to have authority to raise the dead.  Jews attribute that power only to God, so they’d see this as a claim of divinity as well.

Father, thank You for speaking of Your sovereignty today.  You are the Almighty and Holy God and You can choose to do anything and we cannot dispute it.  Help me therefore not to question anything You decide to do, for that is Your prerogative.  Let me be satisfied with just knowing that You chose to save me, with no merit of my own to deserve it, simply because of Your grace and mercy.  Lead me to use that knowledge to remain humble, to want to know You more, and to help others to come to saving faith in You and Your Son.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford