Today we look at John 5:1-24, the healing of a lame man by the Pool of Bethesda. The kicker is, Jesus healed this man ON THE SABBATH, a big "no-no" to the Jews. The saying "Israel keeps sabbath, God keeps Israel" shows how important sabbath keeping was to the Jews. It is based, of course, on the fourth of the Ten Commandments, "Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy." (Exod. 20:8). Jesus, in the eyes of the religious leaders, violated this command of God's by ordering the man to carry his mat and walk.

Jesus argues that healing a person is restoring life to that person. And giving and restoring life is not forbidden "work" on the Sabbath. How does He know this? Because it is what He sees God doing. Yes, God rested on the 7th day. But God still brings babies into the world, still causes the crops to grow, still makes the sun to rise and set even on sabbath days. God continues to go about life-giving, even on sabbath. Since Jesus does whatever He sees the Father doing, He does the same.

Life-giving is the heartbeat of Torah. In focusing on the intricate sabbath regulations, the religious officials missed the point of the Law. Unfortunately, I've experienced Christians doing the very same thing.

A few years ago, we were preparing for a Christmas Eve service in our sanctuary. A young man came into the sanctuary wearing a baseball cap. Many Christian men remove their hats when they walk into a sanctuary -- most were taught to do so as little children as a sign of reverence to God. This is not a "law," but a custom that gives men a way of showing respect for God. But this young man was obviously not a "churched person." But somehow, the Spirit of God had moved him to be in church Christmas Eve.

Unfortunately, one of our church members -- a very good friend of mine -- who HAD been taught as a young child to respect God by removing his hat in the sanctuary, was incensed upon seeing this young man sit in a pew with his hat still on. My friend went over to our visitor and demanded he remove his hat. The young man resisted, perhaps thinking, "Who is this guy -- is he trying to take my hat?" He had not been brought up in the church. No one had ever told him to respect God by removing his hat. Therefore, in his mind, he was showing no disrespect for God. However, my friend's temper flared so high, he almost demanded the visitor leave our sanctuary. In doing so, he would have been working 180 degrees CONTRARY to God's purpose in bringing that young man to church, even though my friend thought he was working TOWARD God's purpose. He saw -- and still sees it this way -- that he was HONORING God.

When he told me about this incident later, I felt the same way I do when I read John 5. In trying to respect God, we disrespect God. We work contrary to God's purpose. We do what the Jewish leaders did -- in focusing on intricate regulations (and customs), we miss the point.

I'm sure God groans in dismay when we do so.