Power to Heal, Power to Save

That Jesus had instantly healed someone who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years, should have given the Pharisees serious pause. But they were too busy taking offense at broken rules to stop and think. Rather than meditate on the implications of the miracle this man had just performed, they rushed to persecute him for healing on the Sabbath. After Jesus responded “my Father is working until now, and I am working” there was still no room for reflection – just the desire to kill him for blasphemy! But the Son continued to speak, patiently explaining who he was in relation to the Father, and for what purpose he had come, saying: “Truly truly I say to you, whoever hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”