These last few days my daily Bible readings have taken me into the Gospel of John.
Now, I’ve always found this an interesting story book. Not in the sense of fiction – this is true non-fiction! Rather, in the sense of narratives that are purposeful in their intent – like an Aesop’s fable only better!!
I’d also have to say that the stories themselves leave me hanging. I remember the first time I read some of the narratives of Jesus around the supper table of his final meal. I finally just picked out the verses that I could understand and left the rest for later.
Which is now.
So, here’s one of those interesting thoughts. I’ve been concentrating on Sabbathing. In other words, finding time to rest and relax – at least once a day. And to putter at least some time in each day.
Imagine, then, coming to Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath. The religious leaders figured Jesus shouldn’t have told the man he healed to carry his mat – that was working (John 5:10). These Jews then persecuted Jesus because he was doing these things on the Sabbath.
Hear his reply! “Jesus said to them, ‘My Father works constantly up until this very point of time, and I also am working.” (RJB version). And that is about what Jesus does on the Sabbath. He never stops working. On a day of rest.
How does that work?