Violating Customs

     Surprised Samaritans were hearing and believing, as Jesus spent two days in their (forbidden) territory. 

     Next, disabled people visit a pool near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem. They hope to be healed when the water miraculously stirs briefly. The opportunity is short, and an invalid (for 38 years) has no one to help him quickly into the water. 

     John writes, in chapter 5, Jesus arrives and asks the man, "Do you want to get well?" What could go wrong? Oh. It's the Sabbath. Jesus tells him to Pick up your mat and walk.

     Soon, religious authorities say to the man, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat." The man doesn't know who healed him. 

     Later at the temple, Jesus finds him and says, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." 

     He tells the Jews it was Jesus who made him well. 

     Now Jesus is really in trouble. Not only did he "work" on the Sabbath, but he was calling God his Father, making himself equal with God. 

     He explains his relationship with the Father, and how he seeks "not to please myself but him who sent me." 

     Then, Do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses...for he wrote about me. Ouch! 

     Jesus performed other miracles and taught about himself, "the bread of life." He also said, I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood you have no life in you. 

     At that "hard teaching," many of his followers deserted him. Jesus added, The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 

     Pharisees are infuriated. 

Tomorrow: A confrontation