John 5:13-14 English Standard Version
13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.”
What can be seen here is that the man that was healed had an encounter with God but did not know it was God. This is not a matter of Jesus healing a man who had placed his faith in Jesus. This is a sovereign act of God to show that God has power over all mankind and faith has nothing to do with the act of will on God’s part.
So why did God heal someone who had not placed his faith in Christ?
John 5:18-20 English Standard Version
Jesus Is Equal with God
18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
The Authority of the Son
19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.
God was calling out the religious leaders of the day, challenging their beliefs, their authority, and their priesthood. God provoked them to wrath. They loved their position and power over the people more than they loved God.
When God shows Himself to those who have not placed their faith in Christ, it is an opportunity to change their attitude about God.
Do we then believe?