The Healing at the Pool

John 5:1-18

1 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. 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.[b] 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, 10 and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat."

11 But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.' "

12 So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?"

13 The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.

14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

Life Through the Son

16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. 17 Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." 18 For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

I. Message:

Content:

1>（v1）Jesus went to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews.

2>（v2-9）On a Sabbath day, Jesus healed an invalid man of 38 years near the pool Bethesda.

3>（v10-13）The Jewish leaders confronted the man who was healed by Jesus, because he was carrying his mat on Sabbath day.

4>（v14）Jesus met him again in the temple, he reminded him not to sin again.

5>（v15-18）When the Jewish leaders knew that Jesus was healing the sick on the Sabbath, they tried harder to persecute him.

Themes:

1>The healing miracle was performed near the pool Bethesda.

2>Do you want to get well?

3>Get up. Pick up your mat and go.

4>The perfection of the Law

II. Who is God? Who is Jesus Christ? Who is Holy Spirit?

1>（v1）Jesus who obeys the Law by observing the feast of the Jews.

2>（v6）Jesus who actively cares about people.

3（v8-9）Jesus who speaks with authority.

4>（v8-9）Jesus who performs miracles to heal the sick.

5>（v16-18）Jesus who is persecuted.

6>（v17-18）God, the Father.

7>（v17-18）Jesus Christ, the Son

8>（v17-18）Jesus Christ who is equal with God.

9>Jesus Christ who perfects the Law.

III. What is God teaching me (command, promise, model, rebuke, warning)?

1> An imperfect and incomplete life （v2-3）

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. 3Here a great number of disabled people lie —the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.

According to the description in the Bible, a great number of disabled people-- the blind, the lame and the paralyzed were lying by the pool of Bethesda. It reminds us of the reality of an imperfect life. With today’s advanced technology, economic prosperity and material abundance, human beings are not problem-free. The saying goes, “Each household has problems of its own.” This is true. In people’s life, there are many imperfections, difficulties, pains, sicknesses and sorrows both physically and spiritually.

Reflection: In what state is my life? Either physically, spiritually, in relationship, emotionally, family or work, are they all in good condition? Is my life rich? Or am I as poor as those who were blind, lame and paralyzed?

2>A miserable and hopeless life （v5）

There was an invalid man who had been sick for 38 years.

The life span of a human being is about 70 to 80 years. Yet, this man had been an invalid for 38 years; he has suffered for such a long time! It was a life of misery and hopelessness. However, he kept lying there, hoping that one day he might have the chance to be the first one to get into the pool and to be healed when the water was stirred by the angels. His life was not only lacking, but it was also pitiful.

Reflection: How is my life? In what condition is it? Am I as helpless and lonely as this poor man? If yes, is there any opportunity for me to change? Do I still have hope for myself?

3>A ruthless situation（v7b）

“[There is always] someone else goes down ahead of me."

According to his words, due to his physical condition, he was always slower than everyone. Even if the legend were true, the chance for him to get into the pool before everyone else was very dim. The maxim, “Fellow sufferers have mutual sympathy.” In spite of their mutual conditions, they did not have any sympathy for each other. They fought with each other in order to get into the pool first. What a cruel and ruthless situation. Isn’t this true of the society?

Reflection: What is my role in the survival of the fittest society? Could I share more love with others?

4> Jesus who actively cares about others （v6）

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?"

In John 4:43-54, there was another account of miracle, Jesus was asked to heal the official’s son. It was a miracle begged by the official. However, at the pool Bethesda, Jesus actively showed his concern for the invalid man. He saw him lying by the pool and knew that he had been sick for a long time. He understood the misery and loneliness in this man.

Therefore, Jesus asked him, “Do you want to get well?” We should follow Jesus’ example to be active in caring about people and drawing near to them.

Reflection: It has been said that Christians are to follow Jesus’ footsteps and make him our example. We have been taught that we should have a heart like that of Jesus Christ. How am I doing regarding this teaching? Where is today’s pool of Bethesda? Are there people around me who need healing, comforting and supporting hands? Do I act like Jesus or do I look after my own interest not that of others’?

5> Words with authority (v8-9）

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

There is power and authority in Jesus’ words. People were amazed at his teachings. His words are full of the power of creation, restoration and healing. Therefore, Jesus’ words are living and active, they are full of power and authority.

Reflection: What is my perspective on God’s Word? Do I thirst for the Word? With what kind of attitude do I receive God’s Word? Do I apply it in my daily life? Do I apply it in comforting, in blessing and in praying for others?

6> A miraculously changed life （v8-9）

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

At Jesus’ words, this man, who was bed-ridden for 38 years because of his sickness, was healed in an instant and suddenly, he could walk. What a miraculous transformation! Not only that he was healed physically and had strong feet, but more importantly, his life was completely transformed.

Reflection: Have I ever experienced any transformations since I met Jesus? Have I noticed any transformations in my physical, spiritual, marital, familial, professional life or where my life is going? Am I willing to let Him transform me?

7>Strictly obeying the Law （v10）

It was a Sabbath day, therefore, the Jew said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat."

The Pharisees were among the Jewish leaders back then. In fact, they were not bad people. In their mind, they were the ones who revered God and strictly obeyed the Law. The problem was that they were overly consumed in obeying the Law that they totally ignored the original intention of the Law, which was to love.

For that reason, instead of sharing the man’s joy of being healed, they confronted him with the issue of carrying his mat on the Sabbath. What a shame! How pathetic!

Reflection: Am I legalistic in my faith life? Do I insist on the formality and ignore the essence of the Law?

8> Living the essence of the Law

According to the historical background and as a tradition of the Jewish Law, on the Sabbath, it was forbidden to carry one’s mat. Jesus knew the Law. He knew it far better than anyone else of his time. Then why did he make such a “mistake” by telling the healed man to pick his mat and go? It was not a mistake. In fact, he did it on purpose to restore the essence and the true meaning of the Law.

When God gave the Law, he meant to heal, to set free, and to bestow grace. While the Jews were obeying the Law, they distorted the essence of it. They turned the Law into an enslaving burden. Thus, by breaking the tradition, Jesus restored the essence and meaning of the Law.

IV. Prayer/ Life Application

Translated by 曾秀娟