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Sermon Introduction

The first of His signs was the turning of water into wine. The second was the healing of the royal official’s son. And the third was the healing of the old man at Bethesda. The third sign occurred when the Lord went to a feast of the Jews, which was probably the Pentecost. He went up to Jerusalem for the feast, but He took the time to meet an old man at the Sheep Gate.

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem (John 5:1).

Steve Bonilla
Elder

John 5:1-9

1 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. (4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted) 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

The day on which this took place was a Sabbath,

Notes

The first of His signs was the turning of water into wine. The second was the healing of the royal official’s son. And the third was the healing of the old man at Bethesda. The third sign occurred when the Lord went to a feast of the Jews, which was probably the Pentecost. He went up to Jerusalem for the feast, but He took the time to meet an old man at the Sheep Gate.

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem (John1:1).

1. Christ at the Sheep Gate

   Jesus went to Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate, also known as Bethesda. Many people with physical ailments waited for the stirring of the water. They believed that whoever enters first gets healed. Jesus approached one man.

   
   2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. (John 5:2-5).

   
   Some translations like the ESV omit verse 4. Their main reasoning being, the earlier manuscripts did not include verse 4. However, some translations, like the NASB 1995, include verse 4. However, the NASB 1995 offers a footnote that earlier manuscripts did not have verse 4 and the latter part of verse 3.

   
   4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted (John 5:4).

   
   Why is there a difference? It does not mean that some translations are superior to others. It also does not mean that there is a conspiracy either. It only means that the scholars do not agree until now. But how should we treat this? We should focus on what is clear: Christ came to heal the old man.
   
   

2. The sick old man

   Jesus knew that the old man had been waiting and hoping to get healed. He waited for the stirring of the water, but no one would put him in the pool. Others would go in first. But Jesus would not carry him into the pool, but He would heal him.
   
   6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me” (John 5:6-7).
   
   
   
   

3. Jesus heals the invalid

   The author’s main agenda was to show the power of the Messiah. Jesus commanded the invalid to stand up, take his bed, and walk. The man obeyed the Lord; he did as Jesus commanded him.

   
   8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man

   was healed, and he took up his bed and walked (John 5:8-9).)
   
   
   
   
   
   

Application

1. Believe in the Healer

   The invalid could not bring himself into the pool. He waited and hoped for thirty- eight years. However, despite his inabilities, the Lord Jesus healed him. When the Lord heals, it is not because of our abilities but despite it.

   
   

2. Believe His will

   A few things we can observe in the text, Jesus did not heal everyone, although many needed healing. Why? We do not know. But we trust in His sovereign will. We must believe that if it is His will to heal, He will.
   
   

3. Engage individuals

   The Lord Jesus engaged an individual from the crowd, which was part of His agenda. The apostles would follow this approach. We should follow it as well. Thus, let us engage individuals and introduce Christ to them.
   
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. What was in Bethesda, and what was the belief about the pool?

2. Describe the man Jesus engaged.

3. What did the writer reveal about Christ? Explain.