Getting All Wet! Text: John 5:1-15
After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” 11 He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’” 12 Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”
15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
We are all by nature impotent folk in spiritual things, blind, halt, and withered; but full provision is made for our cure, if we attend to it. An angel went down, and troubled the water; and what disease soever it was, this water cured it, but only he that first stepped in had benefit. This teaches us to be careful, that we let not a season Slip Which May never return.
Say, “I don’t want to miss my season!” Gen. 8:22 “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night, shall not cease.”
Jesus enters Jerusalem; He goes to a place that is known to have many sick people (Bethesda- House of Mercy). As He walks around He notices one man (Jesus selected the worse case) He’s all alone, he isn’t crying, he’s not emotional, nor does he seem to even care anymore! This man has seen it all; he’s watched as other’s fell into the water first, he’s seen restoration, he’s heard the testimonies, but he seems not to care anymore!
There just isn’t another case in God’s word- an angel stirring the waters, people waiting, and the first one in gets healed!
Psalm 103: 20-22 Bless the LORD, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. 21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. 22 Bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Ask for a show of hands from people who have experienced an angel’s activity.
This man is lifeless! Depression has far gone, discouragement is removed, and all hope has faded away into the sunset! All that’s left is a sad story.
God’s word say’s in Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
This man had a sick heart, and a sick head; his thinking was off. Listen, sometimes an angel won’t do; sometimes we need Jesus!
God’s word say’s in vs. 3 that a great multitude were sick and waiting! #1. How do you wait? Some sit and wait; while other’s wait on (or serve) other’s as they wait!
Ps.40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD;And He inclined to me,And heard my cry. ( David didn’t just wait he served.)
Jesus knew this man had been in that condition for a long time, and #2. He knows what you’re facing! ( Got any giants?)
In vs.7 this man say’s “he has no one to help him.” #3.What’s your excuse?
#4. Do you want to be made well? Immediately the man was made well! God won’t, nor can He heal you unless you want to be healed!
Jesus told the man, “Go and sin no more!” #5. Our Spiritual condition is more important than our physical condition!
If you will place Christ first, and fall in love with Him the seem way He loves you, you will be healed!
