Scripture: John 5:9 (ESV)
“And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.”
The response is immediate. No delay, no partial recovery—just the full restoration of strength in an instant. The man who had been paralyzed for nearly four decades is now standing, carrying his mat, and walking. What no amount of waiting by the pool had achieved, Jesus accomplished in a moment by His word.
John Calvin emphasizes the divine power displayed here. “The word of Christ was not a bare command, but a word full of power,” he writes. For Calvin, this miracle is a demonstration of both Christ’s compassion and His authority—He does not simply invite healing, He causes it. Calvin also notes that this immediate effect shows that the healing could only be divine; nature does not work this way, but grace does.
J.C. Ryle draws our attention to the man’s obedience. “He did exactly what he was told—he attempted no excuses, he argued not that he had no strength, but he obeyed.” Ryle sees in this the response of faith: when Christ speaks, true faith acts. He also warns us not to overlook the closing line of the verse: “Now that day was the Sabbath.” It sets the stage for conflict. A miracle has occurred—but it happened on a day wrapped in legalism and misunderstanding.
The contrast is already emerging. On one side, a man who once lay in helplessness now walks in healing. On the other, religious authorities who will soon criticize the miracle not for its power, but for its timing. But for now, the emphasis remains on the immediacy of Christ’s grace—and the man’s response of obedience.
Reflection Questions:
- Where in your life have you experienced the immediate, unexpected mercy of Christ?
- Are there commands of Jesus you’ve been hesitant to obey? What might obedience look like today?
- How does the immediacy of this healing challenge your expectations of how God works?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You that when You speak, change happens immediately and powerfully. Give us the grace to respond with trust and obedience. Let us not hesitate or doubt, but walk boldly in the new life You give. And when Your work disrupts the patterns of man-made religion, let us rejoice in Your mercy rather than retreat into fear. In Your name, Amen.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 