🕊 Devotional on John 5:11–20 — The Authority of the Son

📖 John 5:11–20 (NIV)

11 But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'"
12 So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?"
13 The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.
14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."
15 The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.
16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him.
17 In his defense Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working."
18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19 Jesus gave them this answer: "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.
  

(John 5:11–20, New International Version)

🔁 Repeated Words or Phrases

• Jesus / the man who healed – verses 11, 13, 15
• Father / Son – verses 17, 19, 20
• Work / doing – verses 17, 19, 20
• Sabbath – verses 16, 18

🎯 Theme

The divine authority of Jesus and His unity with the Father.

🕊 Finding God (Observation)

• Jesus seeks the man again in the temple (v.14) – relational God
• He warns him about sin (v.14) – God cares for holistic healing
• Jesus speaks of the Father's ongoing work (v.17) – active God
• Jesus claims unity with the Father (v.18) – divine authority
• The Father shows everything to the Son (v.20) – loving and transparent relationship

👤 Finding Man (Observation)

• The healed man didn’t recognize Jesus at first (v.13)
• He informed the Jewish leaders later (v.15)
• The leaders persecuted Jesus for Sabbath healing (v.16)
• They misunderstood and rejected His claim of divinity (v.18)
• Humans can be blind to spiritual truth even when healed physically

🪷 Interpretation: What This Tells Us About God

Jesus is not only a healer but the very expression of God’s presence and will. His works are a reflection of the Father's ongoing activity. His authority to heal, command, and confront is rooted in divine unity. Through Him, we glimpse the heart and purposes of the Father who loves the Son and involves Him in His redemptive plan.

🧍 Interpretation: What This Tells Us About Humanity

Humanity often receives grace without recognizing its source. We are quick to inform others, even religious authorities, but slow to build a relationship with the one who healed us. Religious rigidity blinds people to divine encounters. We must learn to respond not just to the miracle, but to the miracle worker.

🪞 Application

Am I truly recognizing Jesus' authority in my life, or just enjoying the benefits of His grace? Today, I want to be aligned with the Father’s work by walking in obedience and acknowledging Jesus not just as healer, but as Lord. I will take time to listen and respond to what He’s doing around me.

💓 Spiritual Touch

"My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working." (v.17) — God is not distant; He is actively working now, and invites us to join Him.

🙌 Prayer of Faith, Repentance, and Gratitude

Lord Jesus, thank You for continuing the Father’s work in my life. Forgive me for the times I enjoyed Your healing but failed to seek Your face. Draw me closer to know You and partner in what You are doing. I yield to Your authority today. Amen.

🌅 Live the Word for 24 Hours

• Reflect on how Jesus is working in your life today.
• Ask the Father to show you what He’s doing—and join Him.
• Share how God is at work with someone around you.