7. Because Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath day, and told him to take up his bed and walk, what did the Jews do?
“Therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath day.” John 5:16.
Note.—It is a fact worthy of note that over the question of proper Sabbath observance the Jews not only persecuted Jesus, but first took counsel to kill Him. Not the least of the malice which finally culminated in His crucifixion, was engendered over this very question of Sabbath observance. Christ did not keep the Sabbath according to their ideas of Sabbath-keeping, and so they sought to kill Him. And they are not alone. Many today are cherishing this same spirit. Because some do not agree with their ideas regarding the Sabbath, or Sabbath observance, they seek to persecute and oppress them,—seek laws, and alliances with political powers, to compel respect for their views.
8. How did Jesus answer them?
“But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” Verse 17.
Note.—The ordinary operations of nature, as manifested in God's almighty, upholding, beneficent, and healing power, go on on the Sabbath the same as on other days; and to cooperate with God and nature in the work of healing, relieving, and restoring on the Sabbath, cannot, therefore, be out of harmony with God's will, nor a violation of His Sabbath law.
9. What effect did this answer have upon the Jews?
“Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the Sabbath [i.e., in their estimation], but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.” Verse 18.
10. Because the disciples plucked a few ears of corn on the Sabbath day to satisfy hunger, what accusation did the Pharisee make against them to Christ?
“And the Pharisees said unto Him, Behold, why do they on the Sabbath day that which is not lawful?” Mark 2:24.