John 5:1-30 Jesus heals a disabled man at the pool of Bethesda

Overview Background Jesus heals the man (on the Sabbath) The Jews reaction to a great miracle Jesus warning to the man Jesus debate with the Jews Todays take-away

Background This takes place in Jerusalem –The remains have been excavated –Jesus is not yet known there Difficult passage –Verse 3b & 4 – later addition? –Bethesda – House of grace / House of mercy –Verse 7 – the healing power of the stirred water

Jesus heals the man (on the Sabbath) Verses 3 – 9a The man was looking for healing The mans desperate & hopeless position He had been in this state for a lifetime –His affliction resulted in a way of life –He was old but Jesus valued him Jesus singled this one man out Do you want to get well? Get up, pick up your mat and walk

So what? Many people today know they have great needs Many people are looking for answers –but often in the wrong places Many peoples needs are entrenched –in lifestyle –in habit Jesus is sufficient for their need –They need to recognise their need –Have faith in Him

The Jews reaction to a great miracle Verses 9b-3 They rebuked the man for carrying his mat on the Sabbath –They rejected the power of God because it contradicted their traditions The man who healed me told me to –Was he making excuses? Blaming Jesus? –Was he affirming Jesus Authority? The man didnt know who Jesus was –Jesus had slipped away quietly

So what? Are we ever so busy that we miss what God is doing? –Refining our theology –Serving God in Church, Christian Union etc Do we ever negate the power of God by our traditions or limit him with our understanding? How do we react to persecution? Do we have Gods bigger picture in mind –Are we out to make a name for ourselves?

Jesus warning to the man Verses Jesus went and found the man again –The man needed the whole picture clearly The man was in the temple courts –Giving thanks to God? See you are well again Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you The man went and told the Jews it was Jesus –Testifying or blaming?

So what? We need to make sure that people understand why we do our good works We need to draw peoples attention to what God has done for them We need to call people to repentance We need to disciple, not just convert We need to testify to what God has done for us

Jesus debate with the Jews Verses Jesus equated himself with God –The Father and the Son do the same things The Son can not do his own thing –The Son gives (eternal) life to the dead –The son will judge the world If the Jews really believed that Jesus was blaspheming, why didnt they just arrest and execute Him?

So what? Do we listen to what God is saying, even if it challenges our preconceived ideas? Do we recognise Gods authority –Or do we try to explain it away Do we ever harden our hearts and refuse to accept what God is saying?

Todays take-away Have you accepted Jesus by faith as the one who is the answer to your need? Are we reaching out to those in need and pointing them to Jesus? Are we making converts or disciples? Are we open to God challenging our ideas or do we negate his word or limit what He can do in us