Check your Own Heart

A digested Lesson taken from my notes at our Bible Study at our church.

 

 

Our Bible study taught by teacher Linda focused on the story in John 5:10-47 about the man at the pool who was healed after his encounter with Jesus.

At Jesus command - - the infirmed man was now able to walk and carry his bed, but alas it was the Sabbath day.  Jewish leaders were quick to ask him, “Who told you to pick up your bed and walk on the Sabbath?”  At first the man was not sure who had healed him, but afterwards, Jesus found him and said, “Behold you are made whole, but go and sin no more lest a worse thing come upon you.” 

The Jews immediately upon discovering it was Jesus; wanted to kill Him not because He healed on the Sabbath, but because the way he spoke of His Father God, making himself equal with God.  Jesus told them, “It was the Father who has given me authority, but marvel not on this for the hour is coming when the dead shall arise.  The Father has committed judgment onto the Son, and as I judge as I hear the father say.”

Jesus continued to urge them to “search the scriptures as they testify of me and my time has come.”

As she wrote on the white board, our teacher asked us to help her compile a list of the attitudes of the religious leaders in this story - - -

Their robes were not clean, and they glorified themselves as they followed traditions.  

They were full of pride, and abused their power.  They were dishonest, unholy and their ego was unhealthy.  A spirit of control was their tool, and they were selfish, hateful and dishonored others.  They had a fear of death, but set unholy boundaries,  were judgmental, hypocritical, and angry with those who did not agree with them.  Murder was in their heart. 

 

Why were they so angry?  Did the teaching and ministry of Jesus present a new way of living that they were contrary to?

Our teacher gave us scriptures as in Proverbs about a merry heart makes a cheerful face, and the importance of gratitude and thanksgiving.

You might want to research these few scriptures and others like them - -  

Zechariah 7:8-10 true Justice is to not oppress one another and to care for the widows and others.

Psalms  51:16-17 God loves a broken and contrite heart.

Proverbs 15:7  16:7 God gives supernatural peace and makes even our enemies to be at peace with us.

Hebrews 13:16 Do good sharing with others, listen intentional to develop a good relationship.

Matthew 5:44  Love your enemies, bless them that curse you and pray for them.

1 Timothy 2:14  Pray for leaders and those in authority for wisdom and for salvation.

1 Timothy 5:1-4  Honor to whom honor is due and respect others.

Luke 5:16  As was his routine; Jesus withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

As Christians we need to be careful when God begins to move in a way we may not be familiar with, lest we rise up in criticism.  Check your own heart and also the Scripture and see if it is in the Word of God.

Our own self-righteousness may think these Jewish leaders were awful, terrible and dreadful, but stop and consider if perhaps we are at times harboring these same or similar attitudes. 

God requires us to reflect on our personal thought life and to be deliberate in our choices to think on those things that are pure, gentle, loving and of good report.

What does God expect of us?

Micah 6:8 And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?