Compassion Over Rules: Embracing Love in Faith

 

Summary

Taking a deep breath, let's delve into the heart of today's message. We explored the tension between religious rules and the essence of compassion, a theme that resonates deeply with many of us. It's easy to become so engrossed in the letter of the law that we lose sight of its spirit. This was a lesson I had to learn the hard way, realizing that Jesus did not favor those who prioritized rules over people.

In our journey through the Gospel of John, we see that John followed Jesus not out of blind faith, but because of what he witnessed firsthand. His experiences with Jesus led him to the undeniable conclusion that Jesus was the Messiah. John’s account is not just a historical record; it’s an invitation for us to see and hear what he did, to arrive at the same conclusion about Jesus.

We examined one of the seven signs John documented: the healing of a man on the Sabbath. This miracle was not just an act of kindness but a deliberate challenge to the religious authorities who had lost sight of the purpose behind the Sabbath. Jesus’ actions and words were a living commentary on the Scriptures, emphasizing that the heart of God’s law is love and compassion, not rigid adherence to rules.

The message is clear: when our religious or ideological systems become more important than the people they are meant to serve, we are at odds with God. Jesus demonstrated that love should always take precedence, and this is a truth that can transform our world if we embrace it.

Key Takeaways:

- Compassion over Rules: It's crucial to prioritize compassion over rigid adherence to religious rules. When we focus solely on the letter of the law, we risk losing sight of its true purpose, which is to love and serve others. Jesus exemplified this by healing on the Sabbath, challenging the religious leaders to reconsider their priorities. [14:55]

- Witnessing Jesus: John followed Jesus because of what he saw and heard, not blind faith. His firsthand experiences led him to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. This invites us to explore the evidence of Jesus' life and teachings, encouraging a faith grounded in understanding and experience. [02:29]

- The Question of Healing: Jesus' question to the invalid, "Do you want to get well?" challenges us to consider our own willingness to change. Sometimes, staying in our current state is easier than the effort required to heal. This question invites introspection about our readiness to embrace transformation. [11:08]

- The Priority of People: Our religious and ideological beliefs should never overshadow the importance of people. When defending a system becomes more important than the individuals it affects, we are at odds with God. Jesus' life and teachings remind us that love and compassion must always come first. [17:44]

- Discovering God through Jesus: Jesus is the living commentary on God's nature. By observing Jesus' actions and words, we gain insight into what God is truly like. This understanding liberates us from the constraints of religion and invites us into a relationship based on love and grace. [29:19]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Compassion vs. Religious Rules
- [01:41] - Series Overview: Bystander
- [02:29] - John's Journey with Jesus
- [04:10] - The Purpose of John's Gospel
- [06:28] - Healing on the Sabbath
- [07:23] - The Pool of Bethesda
- [09:20] - The Superstition of Healing
- [10:58] - Do You Want to Get Well?
- [12:49] - Jesus' Healing and the Sabbath
- [15:29] - Confrontation with Religious Leaders
- [18:54] - The Priority of People
- [26:19] - Losing Fear of Religion
- [29:19] - Jesus as the Living Commentary
- [36:55] - Love Over Religion

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 5:1-15 - The Healing at the Pool on the Sabbath
2. John 1:1-4 - The Word Became Flesh
3. Matthew 12:1-8 - Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the significance of Jesus healing the man on the Sabbath, and how did it challenge the religious leaders of the time? [14:55]

2. How does John describe his experience with Jesus in the opening of his Gospel, and what does this suggest about his reasons for following Jesus? [02:29]

3. What question did Jesus ask the invalid man at the pool, and why might this question be significant for us today? [11:08]

4. How did the religious leaders react to the man carrying his mat, and what does this reveal about their priorities? [15:29]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why might Jesus have chosen to heal the man on the Sabbath, knowing it would provoke the religious leaders? What does this tell us about His priorities? [14:55]

2. In what ways does John's firsthand account of Jesus' life invite us to explore our own understanding and experience of faith? [02:29]

3. How does the question "Do you want to get well?" challenge individuals to consider their own willingness to change and embrace transformation? [11:08]

4. What does the reaction of the religious leaders to the healing on the Sabbath suggest about the potential dangers of prioritizing religious rules over compassion? [15:29]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you prioritized rules or traditions over compassion. How can you shift your focus to prioritize love and compassion in similar situations in the future? [17:44]

2. John followed Jesus because of what he saw and heard. How can you seek to experience Jesus in a way that strengthens your faith through understanding and experience? [02:29]

3. Consider the question Jesus asked the invalid man: "Do you want to get well?" Is there an area in your life where you need healing or change, and what steps can you take to pursue that transformation? [11:08]

4. How can you ensure that your religious or ideological beliefs do not overshadow the importance of people? What practical steps can you take to prioritize people in your daily interactions? [17:44]

5. Jesus is described as a living commentary on God's nature. How can observing Jesus' actions and words help you gain insight into what God is truly like, and how can this understanding impact your relationship with God? [29:19]

6. Think about a situation where you felt bound by religious guilt or fear. How can recognizing who Jesus is help you lose your fear of religion and religious people? [26:19]

7. Does your version of Christianity get in the way of loving people God loves? If so, what changes can you make to align your faith with the love and compassion Jesus demonstrated? [36:55]

Devotional

Day 1: Compassion Over Rules
In the Gospel of John, Jesus challenges the religious authorities by healing a man on the Sabbath, demonstrating that compassion should take precedence over rigid adherence to rules. This act was not merely a miracle but a profound statement about the heart of God's law, which is rooted in love and compassion. Jesus' actions invite us to reconsider our priorities, ensuring that our religious practices serve people rather than hinder them. When we focus solely on the letter of the law, we risk losing sight of its true purpose: to love and serve others. [14:55]

Mark 2:27-28 (ESV): "And he said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.'"

Reflection: Is there a rule or tradition in your life that you prioritize over showing compassion to others? How can you shift your focus to ensure love and compassion come first today?


Day 2: Witnessing Jesus
John's journey with Jesus was not based on blind faith but on what he witnessed firsthand. His experiences led him to the undeniable conclusion that Jesus was the Messiah. This invites us to explore the evidence of Jesus' life and teachings, encouraging a faith grounded in understanding and experience. By examining the life of Jesus, we are invited to see and hear what John did, leading us to a deeper, more informed faith. [02:29]

1 John 1:1-2 (ESV): "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—"

Reflection: What specific evidence or experience in your life has strengthened your faith in Jesus? How can you seek to understand more about His life and teachings this week?


Day 3: The Question of Healing
When Jesus asked the invalid, "Do you want to get well?" it was a profound question that challenges us to consider our own willingness to change. Sometimes, staying in our current state is easier than the effort required to heal. This question invites introspection about our readiness to embrace transformation and the courage needed to pursue it. Are we truly willing to leave behind what is familiar for the sake of healing and growth? [11:08]

John 5:6-8 (ESV): "When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, 'Do you want to be healed?' The sick man answered him, 'Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.' Jesus said to him, 'Get up, take up your bed, and walk.'"

Reflection: What area of your life needs healing or change? Are you willing to take the necessary steps to pursue that transformation today?


Day 4: The Priority of People
Our religious and ideological beliefs should never overshadow the importance of people. When defending a system becomes more important than the individuals it affects, we are at odds with God. Jesus' life and teachings remind us that love and compassion must always come first. This truth challenges us to evaluate our priorities and ensure that our actions reflect the love and grace of God. [17:44]

Matthew 23:23 (ESV): "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others."

Reflection: Is there a person or group you have overlooked because of your beliefs or systems? How can you prioritize their needs and show them love and compassion today?


Day 5: Discovering God through Jesus
Jesus is the living commentary on God's nature. By observing Jesus' actions and words, we gain insight into what God is truly like. This understanding liberates us from the constraints of religion and invites us into a relationship based on love and grace. Jesus' life is an invitation to discover the heart of God and to experience His love in a transformative way. [29:19]

Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV): "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: How does your understanding of Jesus shape your view of God? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him and experience His love more fully this week?

Quotes

When what's best for people is no longer what's most important to you, you are at odds with God. When what's best for people is no longer what's most important to me, I am at odds with God. And the reason I say that, the reason I say that is because John, who brings us this story, is also the person that interrupts an earlier story to say, I don't know if Nicodemus ever got it but let me tell you what Jesus was tryin' to explain to him. [00:19:03]

For God so loved people, for God so loved the world, for God so loved the Jews and the Gentiles, and every race and every gender, for every generation, He loved people so much, He sent His Son, my Rabbi, my Savior, my friend, Jesus into the world, to pay for sins so that everybody could be reconnected with God. God's priority is the race made in His image. And anything I do, anything I do to hurt another person is a sin. [00:19:29]

And any theological thing or even Scriptural application that gets in the way of somebody being treated with dignity, is a sin. And the reason this is so appropriate to me and for people who do what I do is this, I know the Bible, yes I do. I know the Bible, who about you? And I know it all. I mean, you find me something, you want justification for and give me your whole Bible, I'll find you justification, I'll find you at least four verses you can go back to the office and say, says right here, my preacher gave me these verses. [00:20:00]

And Jesus came to close all those loopholes. (whistling) That's convicting, let's get back to the story. So the story continues, they said to this man who'd just been healed, it is the Sabbath! The law forbids you to carry your mat. No, their version of the law, they things they'd added forbid him, kept him from carrying the mat. But he replied, I love this, this is so great. He's go the mat over his shoulder, I mean, he's just kind of gettin' his legs, if you know what I mean. [00:20:45]

But he replied, the man, he didn't even know he who it is, this is what's so beautiful about this, the man who made me well said to me, pick up your mat and walk. The reason I picked up my mat and walked, it wasn't like I was tryin' to violate the Sabbath, do you even know who I am, where I've been? But the reason I picked it up to walk is because a man asked me to pick up my mat and walk. [00:21:07]

And guys, while we're talkin', I just want you to know, I opted for the guy who chose to heal me, not the guys who've been ignoring me my whole life, condemning my whole life, and telling me I deserved to lay there for 38 years because either I sinned, or my parents sinned, so you know what, if you're right and I was getting what I deserved, this guy gave me precisely what I did not deserve so I chose to pick up my mat and walk. [00:21:35]

When you recognize who Jesus is, when you, you just follow Jesus and John through the Gospel of John, when you recognize who Jesus is, when you recognize who John, recognize who Jesus is, you will lose your fear of religion and you will lose your fear of religious people. When you recognize who Jesus is, and for some of you, you need to hear this, you are so bound up by guilt, you never ever ever go to church but you are still living with the guilt of a religious system and you can't get passed it. [00:26:06]

I'm telling you, when you discover who Jesus is, you will lose your fear of religion and religious people. When you choose to follow Jesus, religion will lose its grip on you. Just follow John as he follows Jesus. So, they have this little moment in the temple, you know, and they guy's like, well, you know, the Pharisees and the leaders that teach the law, they want to know who the guy is. So with his mat, I think still over his shoulder, see if you get this? [00:26:32]

He works his way over to them, get it? No, okay, see he's got the mat, he's workin' on the Sabbath, he works his way, okay, you didn't get that. Okay, so here's what happened. The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who made him will, which you know, with his mat draped over his shoulder. So, the text goes on, so because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, he's violated the Sabbath as well now, according to their laws and their oral tradition, and the Tradition of the Elders. [00:26:58]

These things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute Jesus as well. In his defense, Jesus throws it right back at him, this is brilliant, John must have loved telling this story. In his defense (laughing), Jesus said to them, hey, hey, hold on there, you know, my Father, He's always at his work to this very day. In fact, my Father's workin' on this day and I too am working. You know, God doesn't take a day off. I'm just bein' like God. [00:27:25]

Hey you know, God actually violates your version of the Sabbath, doesn't He? In fact, you could say, guys, if you got in trouble, would you ask for help or would you say, it's the Sabbath, I'll have to wait for tomorrow to pray. No, no, no. Isn't God always at work? Yeah, well I'm just bein' like my Father, like Father, like Son. For this reason, this is amazing, for this reason, they tried to kill him. Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, now he's even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. [00:27:52]

Who does he think he is? Exactly, that is the question, who does he think he is? When he cleanses the temple, they don't say, what do you think you're doin? They say, who do you think you are? And John, who gives us this Gospel would say to you, as 21st century seekers and thinkers and comin' back and never believe him, first time you've heard this, he would say, come on, if you're gonna wrestle with anything, don't, just wrestle with this question, who do you think he is? [00:28:20]

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Transcript
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