Intro. A study of the Gospel of John will reveal that the author is the Apostle John, one of four books of the Bible he wrote. This is of course the fourth and last Gospel. We can see that Matthew presents Christ to the Jews as the Messiah-King, Mark to the Romans as the Conquering Servant, Luke to the Greeks as the Son of man. The Gospel of John presents Christ to the Christian as the Son of God, the incarnate Word of God. John chooses to present not an historical look at Christ, but rather a look that we cause us to exalt Him as the Son of God. We know that the key words of the Gospel of John are believe and life. Probably one of the most famous Bible verses in all the world is found here in John 3:16. The theme of the Gospel of John can be found in its key verse, John 20:30,31. "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." Here in John 5, Christ is presented as the great physician. We see the physician performing miracles that no earthly doctor could ever perform. One such miracle is the one we read of here tonight that takes place at the pool of Bethesda.
Read John 5:1-9
After spending time in Samaria and Galilee in chapter four, Christ now returns to Jerusalem for the feast, as was commanded by God’s law. It is commonly believed that this was the feast of Passover, but we cannot be certain. There were three different feasts that commanded all the males to return to Jerusalem; the Passover feast, the feast of Pentecost, and the feast of Tabernacles. As Jesus enters into Jerusalem, He does so by the sheep market, or the sheep gate. This is the gate that was used for the sheep entering into the city. Sheep brought in through this gate were used for sacrifice during the time of the Passover. How amazing that the Lamb of God chose to enter into Jerusalem through the sheep gate. This could also be a place where sheep were kept in a pen to be bought or sold. After passing through this gate, you would come to the pool of Bethesda. No doubt this was a small lake or pond. There was probably some fishing done here, or possibly even bathing. Water would be drawn from here the common everyday uses. Around the pool were five porches. These were covered porches that were used to keep those passing by from being exposed to the weather. These porches would provide shelter in the time of bad weather. These are also places where the sick would make their home. Being protected from the elements made this a safe place for those in need of a home. The sick would make their residence here.
Can you imagine the scene here at the pool of Bethesda? According to verse three, a great multitude of impotent folk, blind, halt, withered, made their home here. Imagine walking through this area and seeing all the diseased and sick people here waiting. We don’t know an exact number of how many people were here, only that the Bible says it was a great multitude. And what were they here for? They were waiting for the troubling of the waters. You see, at a certain season, an angel would go down and trouble the waters. According to verse 4, whoever was first to get into the waters would be healed. All these diseased people were waiting for their healing. They were waiting for the time when the angel would trouble the waters and they could rush in and receive the healing they desired. We don’t know how often this angel came by, only that it was on a regular schedule. No doubt tens or hundreds of thousands of people sat here on this day, watching and waiting for their healing from the pool of Bethesda.
However, of all the multitude here on this day, we are introduced to one man in verse five. It is this man that I want to call your attention to this evening, as we focus in on him and these next few verses. I want to preach tonight on this thought, Will Somebody Help Me?
I want you to notice five things with me tonight about this one man, this man that we find lying by the pool of Bethesda, waiting for his miraculous healing.
I. His Disease vs 5
First of all, let’s notice this man’s disease. Now the Bible does not specifically tell us what the disease was, only that he had it for 38 years. It is quite likely that this man’s disease was one of palsy, yet that is not 100% known. The word infirmity here means that he had some sort of weakness or frailty that prevented him from walking. We also know that this man’s disease was the result of sin, based upon what the Lord told him in verse 14. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. It was this man’s disease that caused him to live a life of want. His was a life of poverty and brokenness. His was a life of deep despair, all because of his disease. May I remind you that we all have a disease, and that disease is called sin. Some in this room may still be paralyzed in their disease. You may be here tonight friend and you are spiritually crippled because of this dreaded disease. Sin cripples us.
Dear friend, as we look around at the world around us, no doubt we see countless numbers of people that are crippled by the dreaded disease of sin. They are in a hopeless condition. No matter how hard they try, they cannot get to God in their own strength. They are helpless, just as this man was. They can’t pray. They can’t worship. They can’t serve God. They can’t enjoy the good things of God. How terrible to be bound by the dreaded crippling disease. Our disease called sin has separated us from God.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Oh we see the dreaded disease of sin that cripples this man.
II. His Desire
Secondly, I want you to notice this man’s desire. What was his desire, well I believe that it was for healing. Surely this man desires to be able to walk again. How can I say that? Simply judging by the fact that here he is at the pool of Bethesda. Here he is at the place of mercy, as Bethesda can be translated. Had this man no desire to be healed, he would not be sitting here at the place of healing, waiting for the troubling of the waters.
Might I say friend that I believe with all my heart that the desire of every man, woman, boy, and girl upon this earth is to go to heaven. I do not believe that anyone truly wants to go to hell. I am convinced that there is something deep in the soul of man that wants to go to heaven when they die. How else can you explain the growth of churches today. These churches where you simply feel good about yourself and you are going to heaven for being a good person, they are packing out. Why, because man desires heaven. The problem becomes when they want to do it their way, rather than God’s. We see the desire on this man’s heart is for healing, and the desire in the heart of mankind is for heaven.
III. His Difficulty 7a
However, we also notice this man’s difficulty. You see, if desire was enough, he would be healed. However, his desire is not enough to bring about his healing. In order to receive his healing, he must be the first one to enter into the pool after the angel troubles the water. Just imagine the struggle that this man faces as he tries to be the first one to enter the pool after the troubling of the waters. Imagine how difficult it must be to try and drag his crippled body across the ground, hoping to get there first. We see this man’s difficulty in verse 7, where he tells the Lord that he has no man to put him into the pool. You could say that the odds were against this man. Without the help of someone who cared, someone that was willing to go out of their way to help him, he would never make it to the pool. This man needs someone to help him. Can you hear him crying out each time as the angel comes to trouble the water? Can you hear him crying for someone to help him. Will someone take me to the water? Will somebody help me?
As I review the difficulty that this man faces, I also am forced to consider the difficulty that the world around us faces. Just as this man sought healing, the desire of a sin cursed world is to know God, and to live in heaven forever. Yet, their sincerity and desire is not enough. Dear friend, just as it took more than desire for this man to receive his healing, it will take more than desire for mankind to gain eternal life. However, just as this man had no man to help him, I am deeply afraid that many in this world are crying out the same way. This world is crying for someone to help, yet we continue to walk by. Sure, the people at the pool of Bethesda had probably become so calloused that these men did not bother them anymore. We are the same way. We are so calloused at the thoughts of this world dying and going to hell that it does not stop us. We have heard the cries for help for so long that we cannot even hear them anymore. (Rooster in Illinois Illustration)
I am afraid the main difficulty facing this world today is the same difficulty that faced this man, they have no man to help them. The Psalmist writes in Psalms 142:4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I fear that we are living in a world that many times feels this same way. Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; Friend I am convinced that we are living in a world that is crying out for help, their desire is true, but their difficulty is that there is no man to help them. We are Christians are not there to give them the help they need.
Paul writes in Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? I am afraid that the answer is, they won’t. Without a preacher they will never know the true way to heaven. Without a preacher they will never know that Jesus saves.
I am reminded of the story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. If you recall the story, as he is riding through the desert reading Isaiah, Phillip asks him if he understands what he is reading. The Ethiopian responds by saying in Acts 8:31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
The difficulty of this man is that no one would help him to the pool. I am afraid that the difficulty of this world is that no one will help them to the Saviour.
IV. His Disappointment 7b
This man tells Jesus that every time he is about to get into the water, someone else beats him there and goes away with the healing instead. Year after year, he has seen his hopes and dream shattered as another person beats him into the healing waters. Time and again, he was forced to drag his broken body back to his old pallet and wait for yet another time of disappointment. No matter how hard he tries, or which method he tries of getting to the pool, he always ends up disappointed. As long as this man has his eyes on the pool, he will continually be disappointed.
Again, I am reminded of this sinful world. People try everything they can to reach heaven, only to wind up disappointed. No matter how hard a man tries, he cannot bring peace and contentment to his soul apart from trusting Christ as his Saviour.
• Religion and good works will fail you
Ephesians 2:8-98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.;
Titus 3:5 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
• Being a good person will fail you –
Matthew 19:17 says: 17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
; Galatians 3:22 says: 22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
• Trusting in the goodness of God will fail you –
Romans 2:4 says: 4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
• Family associations will fail you –
Philippians 3:4-9 says: 4Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
• Church affiliation will fail you –
John 3:3; 7 says3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Dear friend the only thing in life that will not disappoint you is the only thing that can satisfy you, the precious salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.
V. His Deliverance 8
Finally, we see this man’s deliverance in verse 8. John 5:8-9 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. Notice that Jesus gave the word for this man to be healed, but this man had to accept the gift that Christ had given him. This man had to trust that he had been healed then he had to get up and do something about it. He had to get up and walk. Friend, Christ has provided the deliverance that this world needs. All that this world will ever need to satisfy it has been provided. They must simply get up and walk now. They must arise from their crippled condition and trust the Lord. Once this man got to the Lord, all his difficulty and disapointment concerning being crippled was over. Now let me ask you, do you hear the cries of the crippled world around us seeking healing? Do we hear them or have we become numb to them? Who are you willing to help get to the Lord? Who are you willing to leave your comfort zone and carry to the pool of Bethesda, spiritually speaking? Will you help?
