Signs & WondersSample

God’s Ways Are Higher 

Jesus defied human expectations. From his birth to his death and throughout his ministry, Jesus’ life was surprising and often troubling to those he met. In particular, he greatly agitated an elite group of Jews known as Pharisees. Convinced God was pleased with their rigorous following of his Old Testament law, the Pharisees took it upon themselves to hold others accountable to do the same. Things got dicey when Jesus began his public ministry; his actions openly and frequently challenged the Pharisees’ standard of righteousness. 

In John 5:1-17, we read an account of Jesus healing an invalid man on the Sabbath. At a pool called Bethesda in Jerusalem, many people afflicted with various disabilities had gathered in hopes of receiving special healing from its waters. Though there were many, Jesus saw one man and knew his story. He had been an invalid for 38 years. Though the man had come to this pool in hopes of being healed by its waters, Jesus chose to heal him right where he was. “Get up, take up your bed, and walk,” he instructed. The man hastened to do this and what a day of celebration it must have been! He walked for the first time in 38 years. 

When some Pharisees saw the healed man carrying his bed around, they swooped in and corrected him for it. After all, carrying a bed could technically be considered work on the Sabbath. See how rigidly they held to the letter of the law? The man later came back and told them it was Jesus who had both healed him and told him to carry his bed. This gave the Pharisees all the more reason to persecute Jesus. From their perspective, here was a man openly violating God’s command to honor the Sabbath and keep it holy. Though they felt justified in their accusations, Jesus claimed his rightful place: “My Father is working until now; and I am working.” The Pharisees were outraged. Not only was Jesus breaking the Sabbath, he was equating himself with God! How wrong this seemed to them, and yet how wrong they were. 

The Pharisees had the opportunity to witness firsthand the goodness, kindness, and power of Jesus as he healed a man in desperate need. However, their own understanding of the law of God prevented them from seeing the heart of God in this situation. Let us each be careful to seek God’s heart and ask for understanding before we jump to our own conclusions; Scripture is clear that God’s ways are different than our own. We are all tempted to think of God in whatever way makes us feel best about ourselves. Instead, let us seek to understand God for who he is and allow him to humble us with his greatness. Then we can joyfully take our place in the grand story he is writing, knowing that his plans are far beyond our wildest expectations! 

Questions to Ask Yourself / Look in the Word 

1. Jesus not only shocked the Pharisees, he also healed the disabled man differently than expected. Has there been a time in your life where God has worked in a way you didn’t expect? 
2. Do you have thoughts or opinions about God’s ways that you have been holding too tightly? What would it look like to give those up to him? 

What’s Next? 

1. Spend some time thanking God that he is God and you don’t have to be. Rest in his perfect wisdom and knowledge. 
2. When tempted to limit God with your own expectations, remember this story and ask God to help you not miss what he is doing in your midst. 
3. In each of our lives, there are areas in need of healing. Be encouraged that God knows what he is doing and may heal you in a way you didn’t expect!