But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” – John 5:17

But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” These words of Jesus in John 5:17 are a powerful reminder that God is always at work, even when we can’t see it. Jesus is responding to the Pharisees’ criticism that He is breaking the Sabbath by healing a man. Suggesting that obeying a sabbath rule is far greater than healing a man, or bringing a soul to God, or witnessing. Jesus disagrees, and says that He is simply continuing the work of His Father, who is always working.

While many may see the Sabbath as a day of rest, God sees it as a day to continue His work of redemption and restoration. Jesus is saying that He is not bound by human traditions or limitations, or religiosity, but is free to work as God works. By extension, us who believe in Him must not bind ourselves with religious rules and traditions while we overlook the suffering of others. The weightier matters of the kingdom of God – Love, Mercy and Justice (Matthew 23:23) – supersedes any church tradition and must be upheld at all times.

This is not a call to overlook or undermine the essence of sabbath, we can observe sabbath. What we cannot do is to let it limit us from showing love and mercy, to a brother or sister, or showing justice.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to join Him in His work, to be co-laborers with Him in the kingdom of God. So let us ask ourselves today: are we joining God in His work? Are we partnering with Him to bring redemption and restoration to our world? Let us remember that God is always at work, and that He invites us to join Him. May we be people who are characterized by a sense of purpose and mission, and may we experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from working alongside God.