John 5:14 – Sin No More

“Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” –  John 5:14

The worst thing that could happen to this formerly paralyzed man who had been healed by Jesus was not to remain paralyzed, but rather to answer for the sins committed after coming to know the Lord Jesus. In effect, Jesus is saying to this man, “you have seen my authority over your physical health, now trust that my authority extends far beyond that.” Jesus warns that if this man continues to sin, the penalty is far greater than physical paralyzation, it is eternal judgement and condemnation.

We too are capable of being witnesses to, and beneficiaries of, Jesus’s power and His goodness, yet we can continue to live in sin with no regard for Jesus’s claim on our lives. The proper response to Jesus getting our attention is to, “not merely listen to [Him], and so deceive []ourselves [but to] Do what [He] says,” (James 1:22). For this very reason, “Jesus found,” the man He had healed to make sure that he knew that He did not heal him so that he could go on living in earthly comfort, doing whatever he pleased, but Jesus healed him and expects the man to change his sinful ways and acknowledge God’s loving authority over his life, not perfection but obedience.

“Jesus found,” the man that He had healed, and He found him not just to say hello, He found the man to help him follow through with the truth that he had come to know, that Jesus is God and He is worthy of his obedience and attention. He did not casually happen to run into him in the temple, Jesus sought him out. And Jesus seeks us out too, and when Jesus seeks us, He finds us. He finds us in all manner of conditions. He finds us hoping in Him and He renews our strength, and He strengthens us to soar on wings like eagles and run and not grow weary, (Isaiah 40:31). He finds us when we forget Him and like the dog we return to our vomit and like the pig that is washed we return to our wallowing in the muck, (2 Peter 2:22). When we faithfully show up for someone, Jesus finds us in our obedient and loving service. When we deny a worldly temptation and stand firm in who He has called us to be, Jesus finds us in that moment and fills us with His strength. When we allow a sinful thought to linger in our minds longer than we should, Jesus finds us and reminds us that the thought is not worthy of us. When we spiritually tread water and fall short of the steady pursuit of God in His Word and in fellowship, Jesus finds us and offers us more if we choose to faithfully pursue Him.

As much as Jesus cares about this man’s physical suffering, He cares more about his eternal soul, and the same is true for us. Jesus loves us. Sometimes that love results in a miraculous healing, and sometimes that love results in thorns that will never leave, (John 5:9, 2 Cor. 12:7-10.). Either way, Jesus’ primary concern is for our eternal well-being and that by sinning no more we experience the better way that He has for us.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to save us and for washing us clean in your grace. Help us to receive Your healing and to go and sin no more as we walk with You.