What Jesus Did! 'My Father Never Stops Working' — John 5:16-17

Saturday, April 2, 2022

So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules [by healing on the Sabbath]. But Jesus replied, "My Father is always working, and so am I."
— John 5:16-17 NLT

Key Thought

For centuries, the Father in heaven heard prayers, created babies, healed diseases, and upheld the universe on the Sabbath. Why? So his children, his human creations, could be blessed by his rest and honor him. To turn the Sabbath rest into a legalistic debate and forget the people for whom God made the Sabbath holy is a sham and a shame. Jesus clearly affiliates himself with the Father and emphasizes that as long as the Father is working on the Sabbath to do things that bless others, he will too. Jesus' statement is both bold and astonishing to the Jewish leaders. [1] He is claiming the right to do good on the Sabbath, not just because God wants goodness to be a part of the Sabbath rest, but also because Jesus, like his Father, will not rest nor abandon his human children in their misery.

[1] John 5:18.

Today's Prayer

God, I do thank you that when I sleep, you do not. Thank you for working on my concerns, answering my prayers, sustaining my world, and doing your work while I sleep as well as when I'm awake. I cannot comprehend it, but I am truly thankful that you are the God who does not tire or grow weary in doing what is good and what is a blessing. I recognize that all the good things I have in my life have come because of your blessing. I praise you for your mercy and grace that sustain me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Psalm 19:1-4
  • Hebrews 1:1-4
  • Deuteronomy 5:14

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, April 2, 2022

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Discipline in Love' (1 Co. 5:9-13)
"Dear Father, lover of righteousness and purity, Give us determination to keep your command not to associate with the immoral - not at all meaning the..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Presuming on Grace?'
"Dear Beloved, Caiaphas spoke treacherously about Me. At the same time, he also unwittingly spoke God's truth about My mission:Caiaphas, the High..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Matthew 20:17-19
"Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed...."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by James Houston:
"When our lives are focused on God, awe and wonder lead us to worship God, filling our inner being with a fullness we would never have thought possible. Awe..."

Illustration

Illustration of John 5:16-17 NLT — So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules [by healing on the Sabbath]. But Jesus replied, "My Father is always working, and so am I."

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!