The Jewish leaders were angry because the man healed by Jesus picked up his mat and walked. He was invalid for 38 years and was lying near the pool hoping to dive in first when the water was stirred. Jesus asked him to rise up from his lethargic state and pick up his mat and walk. The people who should have rejoiced that the man had been healed, found a petty reason to accuse Jesus. Carrying the mat on the Sabbath was forbidden by the law and Jesus had asked him to do what was forbidden. Such an attack is mean and ludicrous. Defending Himself Jesus said, "My father is always at his work to this very day and I too am working." John 5:17.

This irritated them all the more. He was not only breaking the Sabbath but was also calling God his own father making himself equal with God.Jesus tried to explain his position to the leaders and said that though they read the scriptures diligently, they could not identify him as the son of God who could offer them eternal life. Since they did not have love of God in their heart, they thirsted for recognition and praise. Their priority was earning a good name through observing laws without love for others.

When we are so engrossed in the pursuit of earthly approval and recognition our mind will be focused on pleasing people. Eyes will be blindfolded so that real truth cannot be perceived. The leaders were blinded by their self -righteousness and flattery of others and they could not grasp the meaning of Jesus’ teaching. Adherence to rigid laws and indifference to the needs and sufferings of others was their religion. But Jesus preached a different theology centering on love, compassion and sacrifice. Hence, the leaders who preferred compromise to compassion, self to sacrifice, luxury to love shunned the teaching of Jesus. They who loved to be served were reluctant to serve. How then could they accept Jesus?

Dr. (Mrs.) Edriana Jeyasingh