John 5:17

In the third part of the Chapter we have Christs Apology for his working this cure on the Sabbath, in answer either to their thoughts, or to somewhat they expressed to him, ver. 17. and his prosecution thereof, upon the encrease of their rage, verse 18, 19, &c.

At other times, upon the like occasion we find him making Apology for himselfe or his followers, by way of retortion, as Matth. 15.1, 2, 3. Which though it could not justifie an unlawfull act; Yet it might stop their mouths, who maliciously quarrelled with others, and yet were more guilty themselves. Sometime, by pleading necessity, as Luke 6.2, 3. and 14.3, 4, 5. In which case, the Sabbath is made for man, Mark. 2.27. and Christ commends his love, that when he gets a distressed sinner, even on the Sabbath day, he will not delay their help till morrow. Sometime, by pleading that works of piety and charity do not violate the Sabbath, Matth. 12.5, 7. Luk. 6.9. But here Christ justifieth himselfe from a more sublime reason, that he may take occasion to set out the glory of his Godhead. And whereas the weight of their challenge was grounded on the fourth command, wherein God had not only commanded us to rest on the Sabbath, but had by his own example, in resting from all his works on that day, pressed it; Therefore, Christ removeth the mistake, shewing that the Father, ever since the creation, hath continued working without any intermission, and this without any violation of the Sabbath; and that himselfe as he is one in essence with the Father, so he is undivided in working from him, the Fathers work and his being one; And therefore his working on the Sabbath could not be chalenged, and he being God, might command the man to carry his bed, when he pleased, and when it contributed to set forth his glory: Whence learn, Albeit the Lord, after the creation of all things in six dayes, did cease from the creating of new kindes of creatures, Gen. 2.2. Yet he is still without intermission (even on the Sabbath) working, by preserving and upholding all the creatures he hath made, without which they could not subsist a moment; and by governing and over-ruling of all things, how small contingent, or casual soever they be; for, my Father worketh hitherto, which speech doth not exclude the time following, but sheweth that there is no intermission in that work, see Act. 17.28. Matth. 6.26, 30. and 10.29, 30. Exod. 21.13. 2. Christ the Son of God is joyned with, and undivided from the Father, in working, and that not in one work alone, or at some time only, but in all works, and without intermission: As the Father created all things by him, so, with, and from the Father, he preserveth and governeth all things; for, my Father worketh hitherto, and I work, even the same workes which he worketh, see Heb. 1.2, 3. 3. God, and Christ is God, is above all law which he hath prescribed to the creature; He works on the Sabbath, and doth not violate it; he may do what he pleaseth, without quarrelling; and may command what he pleaseth, and make it service; for, so doth the scope of the Apology teach, that Christ, being undivided from the Father in working, was God, and so not subject to the Law of the Sabbath, and might command the man to carry his bed, and warrand him in so doing.