Title: Jesus at work (John 5:10-29)
[John 5:10-29]
A busy church is a young church. A church of young people is always thinking, “What should I do? What kind of vision should I long for?” I am not talking about age numbers. I am speaking thoughts. I am speaking of spirituality. No matter what he does, he is a young man. Elder Ra Sun-yong, Elder Park Beom-seong, and Han Woon-kyung, who retired yesterday, are truly young people. They did their best for God and his kingdom until they retired. That is why our Kyohee is a very good and healthy church, because the elders, chiefs, and members are all silently working in the place of service.
Jesus worked hard too. Wherever you work, there is life. There is a change. Jesus heals a 38-year-old man. The Jews persecute Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath, but Jesus says in verse 17, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” So, how did Jesus work?
First, Jesus worked quietly.
The modern era is the PR era. PR is about avoiding what to avoid and noticing what to tell. These days, not only companies but also people in general like to PR. Humans instinctively like to appear in front of others. They like to over-pack themselves. I like to jump. But what about our Jesus?
In today's text, Jesus was humble even after healing the sick and performing miracles. Verse 13 says, “The one who was healed did not know who it was, because there were many people there, and Jesus had already fled.” Jesus' life and ministry were always like this. When we give alms, Jesus wants us so that “the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.” When we pray, He tells us to go into our closet and pray to your Father who is in secret. Regarding our alms and prayers, Jesus says, “Your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” Those who do the Lord's work, those who save dying souls, must work quietly like Jesus did.
Second, Jesus worked forgiving.
Verse 14, “After that, Jesus met the man in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you are well; sin no more, so that nothing worse happens.” The Lord requires us not to sin. If we sin again and again, we can suffer even more. But sickness is not necessarily due to sin, Jesus says in John 9:3. “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God might be revealed in him.” Jesus hated sin, but he liked to call sinners and was pleased to forgive. At that time, Jesus forgave the adulterous woman who had no choice but to be stoned to death, telling her not to sin again. We too can condemn other brothers and sisters if we work hard in the church. Injuries may occur. Every time I ask, “What did Jesus do?” You have to think about it. Forgive your brothers and sisters, love them, and work like Jesus.
Third, Jesus worked through adversity.
The Jews wanted to kill Jesus, one because he healed the sick on the Sabbath, and the other because he said God was the real Father. It was the Jews who were of the same ethnicity who made Jesus difficult. If you are doing the Lord's work with the thrill of salvation, you may sometimes experience undesirable difficulties. It may come from someone close to you. Whenever that happens, we must do the Lord's work with a strong and courageous heart. Dear brothers and sisters, please work quietly like our Jesus. Please forgive the shortcomings and faults of others and work. Do not give in to hardships and work hard. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray that you will become the Lord's powerful people who give precious fruits 30, 60, and 100 times by doing the work of Jesus Christ with joy.