John 5 documents a beautiful miracle the Lord Jesus performed at the pool of Bethesda. The Apostle John always brings out the beauty of how Jesus Christ fulfils the Law of God handed down through Moses. We can learn some very important principles of healing from the incident at Bethesda, that can help you recieve the divine healing of God.
Life of the Law vs Life of the Spirit
Romans 8:2 (KJV) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Verse 1 talks about a “feast” , when Jesus performed this miracle. In all probability this is Shavuot/Pentecost. In Chapter 2 of John, we see that it was the Passover. Now in Chapter 5 it should be PENTECOST. The Jews commemorated the Giving of the Torah. There were 5 porches which again signifies the Torah. This shows that though the man was at the pool of healing, he was an invalid. Wholeness doesn’t come from the TORAH but healing comes from the Spirit of God. When Jesus spoke the words of life, the man rose to his feet.
The Weakness of the Law vs Grandeur of Grace
Romans 5:20 (KJV) Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Many lay invalid at the pool of Bethesda, though they looked forward to its healing stirring. This shows the inferiority of the Law, in comparison to Jesus who was the word in flesh. The Law is holy and perfect but it magnified our sins. Where sin abounded, Grace abounded even more.
Grace frees us from every curse of the Law.
Grace is the ability to take victory of everything that binds us. Jesus Christ showed us the grandeur of His grace in the weakness of the Law
Expectations from the World v/s Life from the Word
John 5:7 (KJV) The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
This man was looking for someone to help him jump into the pool as soon as it was stirred by the angel. He was closed to the things of God. When we expect from MAN we will be perennially disappointed. Failed expectations from man is the main reason why many don’t move forward. They ultimately miss out on the move of God too.
Today if you are in that place hear the voice of Christ speaking directly to you- “Wilt thou be made whole?” When your expectations from the world fail, life comes to you from His word!
Significance of the Moment v/s Greatness of Christ
John 5:4 (KJV) For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
Many of us look forward to specific moments and we are caught in it’s significance. If we lose that moment in time, we are again held up. This man for 38 years was looking forward to that special moment and when he missed, he gave up on his healing too. The Law was all about different seasons too. Everyone were keen on celebrating the significance of the moment. When you meet Christ, you realize that Grace runs through your life as you experience Him.
Don’t look for the special moment, look for the Conversations with the Lord. One conversation with Jesus healed the man’s paralytic condition.
Restrictions of Traditions vs Power of Obedience
John 5:9-11 (KJV) And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
The Law had many restrictions that were to be honored. One of it was the Sabbath day. These traditions meant no one could do any work. Jesus challenged the lame man to take up his bed and walk. The power of obeying God’s voice ushers in our healing rather than blind following of traditions.
