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If this is the first page you clicked on check back to the first day of the ninety-two day chronological reading plan of the New Testament. Go to ---->"DAY ONE" If you want the whole plan day by day and not wait find it here at Shalom in the wilderness 

Day Eight: John 5

Another one chapter reading for the 8th day. If you read day seven then you would know that I briefly mentioned the Sabbath and how it would be reoccurring theme in the days to come. In the first story of the chapter Jesus encounters a paralytic man near Bethesda by a pool where many disabled people like the blind, lame and paralyzed. On this day, which happened to be the Sabbath, Jesus healed this man and simply told him to pick up his mat and walk. Doesn't he get in trouble for just carrying what he was laying by the pool where he could not get into cleanse himself? Can you imagine living in a more serious and literal world then now, which obviously was those times, if we weren't even able to pick up a towel, something we used for the day...in this case the mat could not have been heavier then a cushion of some sort. I remember when I took everything literal and honestly it caused me more grief and confusion over faith then what was healthy. When we aren't listening to the spirit and just making assumptions or being told by people what it means and what we should do we aren't really listening to Yah, we are listening to man and self will. What does Sabbath mean to you? What day is your Sabbath, it may be different then the day that has been set a part as holy simply because of your work schedule you were given. Just imagine people over time, literally over 28 generations like the Israelite's in Old testament times not really receiving the message and word of God and being rebellious. How can one accept with this being said that this was the Lord's intention for us? Our job is to honor and praise him daily and by doing acts of love out of faith any day of the week we do this.

The man who was healed was persecuted and questioned about his action of carrying the mat, since he didn't know who healed him, he couldn't say. But later we see that he goes right back to the Jew's who rebuke him and tells them it was Jesus.
John 5

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 Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

So the conversation of the Sabbath continues, awesome lets dig deeper in the Lords intentions of this holy day of rest. Lets see if the Lord condemns us for seeking to be Christ like even on the Sabbath, of coarse not. Let us pray on it in accordance to his statutes and will. This next section is deep in to the Father's will and authority of Jesus. It is hard to choose the best section since it is literally all powerful. For me I like that he states that it is his Father's work that he is accomplishing and that everyday his father is at work even on the Sabbath? Can you imagine what work is his rest besides his enduring love and peace he sends to his children? We receive life through Jesus and if we do not receive him and honor him then we do not honor the father. This is the new covenant and it restores all hope of eternal life by cleansing us with the holy blood of the lamb.

17Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." 

22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. 24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.  

30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

 The last part of the chapter reading discusses testimony and how Jesus doesn't need human testimony because his father in heaven testifies of him as well as the scriptures and John the baptist. This is where he says that the testimony of John is valid confirming everything that he says about Jesus. When Jesus says if he testifies about himself it is not valid since you are what others confirm you are not what you say or think about yourself. Whoever he is speaking to are those who do not receive his message or who he is, but claim to believe in the doctrine of Moses yet do not believe him. Therefore Jesus does not have dealing with them because Moses is their accuser since they do not receive Jesus by the testimonies of Scripture and John.

34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved

36 "I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form,

 Do you have a testimony? I have a hard time with mine, though I have always have had hope in, belief in, and faith in Jesus Christ, I have not always been striving to be Christ like. It is more difficult in heart and mind to be Christ like then it is action wise for me. It takes a lot of work and focus to redirect negative thoughts and feelings of a broken/hurt heart. As a young girl I was raised in and an active member of the Catholic church, doing retreats and helping with youth group etc. When growing into latter years of High School, my focus became more selfish then ever, seeking after the world and fleshy desires and not the works of the spirit. Coming back around I was seeking a deeper relationship with heavenly father and was led to the LDS church. I sojourned for a time and was led by heartbreak and confusion which none the less led be astray once again. My faith being week I struggled and married a man who took advantage of my desolation and brought me to the lowest pit of my life. Praying I would find my way back to God he made a way for me by separating me from this immoral man who you can say had the worst influence in me as well. The hardest journey for me was the way back, walking and finally getting to the point of reading daily again took time for me to be confident I was on the right track again. The struggle was great and the reward is that heavenly father is there with open arms through our loving, and merciful savior Jesus Christ. If he is for me, and not here to judge me then who is? No one whose judgement means anything to me in this world.