Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?

INTRODUCTION

Outline

1. The Man’s Complaint

2. The Master’s Compassion

3. The Master’s Commission

Remarks

1. The setting of the lesson is one of joy and celebration. The background of the lesson is, this was Jesus’ return to the city of Jerusalem after performing several miracles. His first visit was to turn water into wine at a wedding. His second was to heal a nobleman’s son, as a result of his faith. John says: “This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee,” John 4:54. “After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,” John 5:1. It was one of the feast days of the Jews (the Passover). There was singing, eating and laughter throughout the entire city for many. However, on a porch some where in the same city, at a pool called Bethesda, there was no celebration, no feasting, and no laughter, and no dining or eating. For many that lay there were sick of all types of diseases and illnesses. There was great pain and suffering for many.

2. First, we will discuss the man’s complaint. Our Lord chose not to eat at the house of a friend that he may pass by this pool in order to find a patient, to whom He would shower with compassion and healing. For this patient, like all others sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed; laid there waiting for the troubling of the water. The Lord asked this patient: “wilt thou be made whole?” And the man said to Jesus: “I have no man to put me in the water…” Only one man would be cure this day; when the Lord came to this pool, in answer to the prayers and hope of this man, who was paralyzed.

3. Secondly, we will notice the master’s compassion. The Lord had seen his faith, through the many times he made an attempt to get into the pool while the water was troubled. Our Lord had compassion on the man and said; “Rise, take up thy bed and walk,” verse 8. “And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath,” verse 9. The Lord did not inquire of his faith; nor did the man state that he had faith. His persistency and patience over the course of 38 years demonstrated his faith in God; and hope of getting into the pool next time, to be cure of his affliction.

4. Lastly, we will describe the master’s commission. The Lord found the man healed in the temple, giving thanks to God for his healing. The master instructed him: “See you have been made well. Sin no more, lest the worst thing come upon you,” verse 14. “The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole,” verse 15. My question for you this day: “wilt thou be made whole?” Let's consider our first point.

BODY OF LESSON

I THE MAN'S COMPLAINT

A. The Apostle John writes of a “certain man (in a pitiful state) was there, which had an infirmity,” verse 5. He was a man who lacked friends; he was helpless, but not hopeless. "He laid there with a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water." Bethesda, meant - the house of mercy. Some how God's mercy had seemed to overlooked this man for some thirty eight years. The time of this miracle was during the feast of the Jews; that is the Passover, for it was the most celebrated feast. Many of these sick people were brought by family and friends – and left at the pool during this time, as they attended the many celebrations in the city.

1. It seems the man was forgotten by family, friends, and even those who once laid there with him, but were healed after getting into the pool. There are many today who haven't had one day of peace; one day without pain; one day without feeling helpless; as they lay hopelessly without family and friends, seeing their bodies wasting away. They lay at their own pool. And, some in their own pools. Illustrate: Nursing Homes. How are your family members doing?

2. And we complain about our aches, and pains, and the discomfort of sitting to long on hard pews/chairs. We are blessed; and don't even know it. Illustrate: Our afflictions; our infirmities. They are light weight. Paul writes: “For our light afflictions, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” 2 Corinthians 4:17. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of them all,” Psalms 34:19.

3. And to the young preacher. Paul encourages: “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry,” 2 Timothy 4:5.