John's Gospel is different from the others in that his primary goal is not to give men a historical treatment of the life of Jesus. John's purpose is to exalt the person of Jesus so that men believe on Him and be saved.
(John 20:30-31) And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: {31} 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.
Our text this morning is found in John chapter five. Read: John 5:1-9. In these verses, Jesus is presented to us as The Great Physician. As such, He longs to take us from where are and bring us to where we need to be.
Let's observe Him as He delivers this man from the bondage of his affliction and as we do, please know that He can do the same for each of us if we will allow Him the opportunity.
I. A Sick Man v1-5
A. Note His Wretched Condition
1. He Is A Disabled Man
a. According to the Scriptures, this man had lived with this infirmity for 38 years.
b. He had been sick longer than Jesus had been on the earth!
c. The Bible says that this man had an "infirmity."
d. This word means that he had some weakness or frailness that prevented him from walking about as other men.
2. He is a picture of the sinner who is lost and separated from God by his sins.
(Isa 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.
(Rom 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
a. Regardless of what he tries, the sinner is still lost and unable to walk in the ways of the Lord.
b. The sinner may be able to put on a good show and have all the appearances of being right with God…
c. But the fact remains that God knows the heart of the sinner and He knows that the sinner is still dead until he tastes of the life that can only be found in the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Many lost people feel that their lives are going along well and they need nothing.
a. Sadly, the lost sinner is in more trouble than he could ever believe.
b. To live your life without God is one thing.
c. After all, you never really miss something you never have.
d. But, to die without God is a terrible thing!
e. For there is only one destination for the lost sinner, and that is Hell
(Psa 9:17) The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
(2 Th 1:8-9) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: {9} Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
4. He Is A Disappointed Man v7
a. He 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.
b. Year after year, he has seen his hopes and dream shattered as another person beats him into the healing waters.
c. A man can try many things to bring peace and salvation to the soul.
d. He can try works, religion, goodness, giving, praying, etc, but none of these things will ever be able to save the soul of man.
e. It takes the blood of Jesus to accomplish this.
f. Whatever a person may decide to try, outside of Jesus, they will be sadly disappointed.
5. He is not alone. v3
a. This man was surrounded by others who were in the same shape as himself.
b. They offered him no comfort and they offered him no help.
c. They were as desperate as he was to be released from their own prisons.
II. A Sympathetic Savior
A. Notice His great grace.
1. According to the passage, there was a "great multitude" there that day.
2. Jesus could have gone to any person in that place, yet for His own reasons, He went to this man. Why?
3. This is nothing but pure grace!
4. Grace = unmerited favor; Bethesda means "House of Grace."
5. "Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me"
6. We have done nothing to deserve His love.
7. We have done nothing to earn our salvation.
8. It is only by His grace that we can be saved!
B. Notice His great care.
1. Jesus knew everything there was to know about this man!
2. He knew that he was crippled, that he was unable to walk, that he was unable to stand and carry his own bed.
3. Jesus knew that this man was totally dependent upon others for everything he had in life.
4. Yet, Jesus reached out to him anyway!
5. Jesus looks beyond our faults and our failures and cares for us in spite of our sins.
(Rom 5:8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
6. Isn't it an awesome thought that Jesus knows everything about us, and yet He loves us?
(Mark 2:17) When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
III. A Supernatural Experience v6b-9
A. He makes the man an offer.
1. Jesus asked him if he would like to be healed.
2. The man responds by appealing to the flesh and tells Jesus that he has no one to help him into the pool.
3. This man makes the same mistake that many make today.
4. They only think in terms of the flesh.
5. But this was an offer for supernatural healing!
6. Even today, Jesus comes to the lost sinner and makes an offer of salvation.
a. The common responses are, I am not good enough, I can't hold out, I have been too wicked, It won't work for me, etc.
b. The problem is that sinners are looking for a physical solution to a spiritual problem.
c. The sinner needs to be saved!
d. That is something that no man can do for himself!
e. It takes the power of God, the conviction of the Spirit and the blood of Jesus to accomplish this for the sinner.
B. Salvation is by faith.
1. Jesus tells the man to get up and walk.
2. Jesus just told this man to do something that he hasn't been able to do in 38 years, if ever.
3. However, all that was required on the part of this man is simple, child like faith and obedience to the call of Jesus.
4. Jesus comes to men who have lived their entire lives in the grip of sin.
5. He passes by and says, "Get out of the gutter and follow me!"
6. Men refuse because it sounds too simple.
7. Jesus doesn't require perfection; He just requires faith in Him!
8. I suppose that is why it is so easy for little children to be saved.
a. They are used to depending on others for what they need.
b. Mom and Dad take care of everything, so it is easy for them to trust Jesus and be saved!
c. However, adults are different; we are conditioned to make our own way in the world.
d. But we must come to Jesus with child-like faith!
(Mark 10:15) Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
C. The result of faith.
1. When this man responded to Jesus' command by faith, he was immediately healed and he was able to get up and walk.
2. All that this miracle required from the crippled man was trust and obey.
3. Jesus comes to us and calls us to be saved…all that is required is that we trust and obey Him.
4. Will you trust Him today?
What is your need today? Jesus can meet that need and so much more. If you have never trusted in the finished work of Christ on Calvary as the only atonement for your sins, will you come by faith today?
If you are a believer, will you commit your life to Him today? God calls us to walk in obedience to His Word. Come today and totally surrender to the Lord this morning.