Those Whose Turn Seems To Come Last Series

Those Whose Turn Seems to Come Last

PPT 1 Series Title

In this series we are looking at Jesus and how the scriptures show Him to be all knowing, all powerful, and all loving.

PPT 2 Message title

This week we are going to see those traits, especially that He is all loving in a story that I have titled, "Those Whose Turn Seems To Come Last."

Some of you don't know what it is like to be picked last, but most do. This is a message for those who know what it is like to be picked last.

If you've ever wondered about the love of God,

If you've ever doubted whether God's grace is greater than your past and every sin,

If you have ever wondered how God could love you and yet you are suffering with some disease,

If you've ever felt ashamed or inferior this message is for you. The rest of you can learn about how Jesus treats those who have been picked last.

PPT 3 - 6 text

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

John 5:2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep [gate] a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes.

John 5:3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters;

John 5:4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.]

John 5:5 And a certain man was there, who had been thirty-eight years in his sickness.

John 5:6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time [in that condition,] He *said to him, "Do you wish to get well?"

John 5:7 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."

John 5:8 Jesus *said to him, "Arise, take up your pallet, and walk."

John 5:9 And immediately the man became well, and took up his pallet and [began] to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day.

John 5:10 Therefore the Jews were saying to him who was cured, "It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet."

John 5:11 But he answered them, "He who made me well was the one who said to me, 'Take up your pallet and walk.'"

John 5:12 They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up [your pallet,] and walk'?"

John 5:13 But he who was healed did not know who it was; for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in [that] place.

John 5:14 Afterward Jesus *found him in the temple, and said to him, "Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse may befall you."

Main point: a word of hope for those whose turn seems to come last.

1. Jesus knows your story.

(all knowing) Tell your neighbor, Jesus knows your story.

a. He knows about Bethesda's and the people living there.

We never would have heard of Bethesda if Jesus hadn't visited it. Here was a place where a large number of sick people gathered hoping for a miracle. Probably a beggars alley. Jesus visits places that we tend to push out or our minds. There are hospital wards, and hospices, nursing homes with the abandoned, by friends and family, that dot many places in our own city. They are right outside our window, if we would but look.

b. He knows about the 38 years, and that you feel your turn never seems to come. You never got picked for the team. There was always someone better and faster than you, so you got marginalized.

I wonder if Jesus knew because of omniscience or a visit to the temple at 12? Either way Jesus intentionally picked the guy with the worst chance possible. I think this man had been there the longest, and He was intentionally chosen for the miracle so that Jesus could give hope in others who feel as that man felt. Not only does Jesus know your story, He wants to touch you and change your story.

c. Jesus touches people others stay away from. (All loving)

Lepers, sinners, dead people.

Matthew tax collector, Samaritan half breed, woman caught in adultery, man with demons who lived in a cemetery (he was a goth?) (defiled by living in a cemetery) Hi my name is Jesus, has anyone told you how amazing you are today? While the pharisees point fingers, and talk about how messed up those kids are. Jesus is very different than religious people.