What Jesus Did! 'Stop!' — John 5:14-15

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

[About the man who had been healed, John wrote:] But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, "Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you." Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him.
— John 5:14-15 NLT

Key Thought

Stop sinning! Isn't it interesting that while all the fury and fuss were about Jesus' supposed sin on the Sabbath, [1] the real sinner was the man who was healed. He didn't want to take responsibility for anything. [2] He wouldn't go out on the limb to honor Jesus and follow him. Jesus warned him, and he ignored the warning. He went and immediately betrayed Jesus into the hands of those who would do him harm. When we become ashamed to share the testimony of what Jesus is doing in our lives, the sad reality is that we are easily conscripted to do holy-sounding things that actually do the Kingdom great harm. Jesus says to us, "stop sinning"! Let's heed his admoniton today.

[1] John 5:9-10.
[2] John 5:7, 10-11.

Today's Prayer

Father, stop me and confront me when I am being led astray, especially by things that sound religious but which are really sin. Give me a clearer and more holy understanding of your will in my life and a more powerful and holy influence upon my friends. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

More than Mr. Rogers
Article by Phil Ware
Jesus calls us beyond the narrow caricatures of grace. Phil Ware continues his series called UNPREDICTABLE about Jesus and his love and grace and call to follow him in holiness and reminds us that grace calls us from sin and death and to a life of holiness.
What Will You Do with My Grace?
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Follower, In today's events from My life on earth, you will meet a man who had great difficulties. But like so many who find themselves in very...."

Illustration

Illustration of John 5:14-15 NLT — "Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Psalms 138:8
"Most manifestly the confidence which the Psalmist here expressed was a divine confidence. He did not say, "I have grace enough to perfect that which....."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Romans 15:2
"Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Christ's Love Letter' (2 Co. 2:17-3:3)
"Dear Father, Thank you, Father, that I am not just a peddler of your word, but that I am commissioned by you and that I speak in Christ. Let everyone..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by François de Sales:
"It is an abuse to confess any kind of sin, mortal or venial, without a will to be delivered from it, since confession was instituted for no other end."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!