Freemen of the Gospel.
An old man once said that it took him forty years to learn three simple things. The first was that he could not do anything to save himself; the second was that God did not expect him to; and the third was that Christ had done it all, and all he had to do was to believe and be saved.
February 12th.—Christ's Divine Authority.
To read—St. John v. 17—27. Golden Text—John iv. 42.
Christ has returned to Jerusalem to keep one of appointed feasts (ver. 1). There He healed a cripple at the Pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath, which caused the Jews to persecute Him for "breaking" or relaxing the Sabbath day. Christ answers them.
I. The Father's Work (17, 18). God is Creator of world and Father of all. The Sabbath not a time for inaction. Does everything stop? Earth continues to revolve, winds blow, vegetation grows. Sabbath a rest for man from work by which livelihood gained, but also a day to be spent in works of mercy. Thus Christ works on with the Father. His claim to be equal with God angers the Jews.
II. The Son's Work (19-23). Same as the Father's—does nothing by Himself. He shares the Father's counsels—loving bond of sympathy between them. Shares Father's work—giving life to dead (i. 4). Christ already done this when raised Jairus's little daughter (St. Matt. ix. 25). Also raised dead souls by forgiving sins and leading to new life. Example—sick of the palsy (St. Matt. ix. 2) and the woman who had sinned (St. Luke vii. 37, 47).
Christ also appointed as the Judge (Acts xvii. 31). Therefore equally with Father claims honour from men. To dishonour Him is to dishonour God.
III. Man's Relation to Christ (24-27). How can he obtain this new life? Must hear and accept Son's word, must believe the Father, Who speaks through the Son (xvii. 3; Heb i. 2). Then he passes from death in sin (Eph. ii. 1) to life in Christ (Col. iii. 3). This a present change. Old things passed—all become new. New faith, hope, love. New life for soul now, for body hereafter.
Lessons. 1. It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.