John 5:1-17 demonstrates to us two flavors of unbelief with which we are familiar. With the healed invalid, we see someone so near the truth, but lukewarm to it, with no conviction or true faith. The Pharisees demonstrate a legalism that seeks to work so hard at getting to God, that it results in pride, and a rejection of God. As Christians, we rest in the grace of God in fulfilling the law for us, and we do not back down from confrontation or opposition.

Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, fulfilling a 700 year old prophecy, should give us great confidence in God’s perfect sovereignty, and also is a beautiful reminder of God’s promise of hope in the midst of judgment.

In a more detailed look at Jesus’ encounter with the Woman at the well, we see several key characteristics of the gospel. It is the only offer of life and it confronts us in our sin. However, it also goes on to pay the price for our sin, and even changes our lives.

Christianity challenges our natural ideas of success and gain - consistent Christian living must result in our decrease. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we must be made nothing, so that people would see not us, but Christ in us.

In our sin and in our pride, we would like to think that we have some part in our salvation.  Jesus teaches that the opposite is true - being born again is all of grace and is all of God.  We don't have the power to win souls for Christ.  The Lord saves whom He will, but as Christians we must proclaim the Gospel as He gives us opportunity, we must pray for the lost, and we must place our confidence in Jesus Christ to change hearts as only He is able to do.