The Great Physician

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

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.

In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water.

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. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years

This man had lived with this infirmity for 38 years, more years than Jesus had been alive.

38 years is a long time, minute after minute, hour after hour, day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year.

Why does fifteen minutes fly when you hit the snooze button but drag on and on when you're waiting in line at the cash register?

Why is that? Is it the same reason 9 to 5 takes all day long during the week, but disappears in an instant over the weekend?

He is in search of healing, either he crawled to the pool or someone brought him.

If only people would recognize their need for spiritual healing!

Whoever got in first got healed, I am sure it was everyman for himself, I wonder if that’s the way it is with us, trying to get our needs met, before helping someone else.

Verse 6-7-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?”

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.”

"Do you want to be healed?" asked Jesus.

Silly question. Doesn't every crippled or sick person?

No, some people want to remain crippled, they don't want the responsibility of being whole. They have learned to use their problem.

We all know of people who uses their illnesses to get attention from their spouse and other members of their family.

Most people want temporary relief rather than a permanent solution.

We aren't feeling well, so we go to a doctor. When the doctor tells us, "You need to decrease your calorie intake, drink less sodas, and start exercising !"

What do we do? We find a new doctor who will simply write us a prescription for what ails us.

There was a multitude there, but Jesus picks out this one man, gets you to thinking, “Why have I been so blessed, why did I have so many opportunities to come to Him, why has He offered me such grace?”

Year after year he was disappointed, year after year there was no healing for him.

That’s what happens to a lot of people, they look for satisfaction in this old world, they try mediation, good works, some religious ceremony but nothing brings peace, until they accept Jesus as their Savior!

Verse 8-Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”

And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

The world says, “You made your bed now lay in it!”

Jesus says, “Take up your bed and walk!”