John, chapter 5 (2)

Father God, thank you for this day. This day of redemption, rejoicing and we are glad in it, In the name of Jesus, Amen. Thank you LORD.

John 5:1-8 (NKJV)

1. "After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

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

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

4. 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.

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

6. 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?"

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 and before me."

8. Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk."

9. And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath."

Amen, thank You LORD.

The pool of Bethesda had many sick people but on that day, Jesus only came for one sick man. This sick man had probably lost all hope of ever being made well having watched many people over the years getting their healing as he lay on his bed by the pool side. Jesus asks this man if he wants to be made well, and John 5:7 above shows us that this man responds with his fear and doubt concerning obtaining healing which unfolded as not having someone to put him into the pool or another person obstructing him as he enters the pool.

Jesus did not condemn him but simply asked him to, "...rise and pick up his bed and walk" (John 5:8) and when he obeyed, the sick man received his healing. Jesus' mercy and unconditional love met this sick man at his weakest that is, just when he thought of all the reasons why he might never get his healing.

In John 5:14 (NKJV) Jesus says, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." God will not leave His child because of sin but sin will separate you from God and this is the reason God sent His Son into the world to reconcile us back in relationship with God (2 Corinthians 5:18). God not only redeems and forgives you from sin, but He also protects you and gives you the power to live a godly life that is from sin. 1 John 5:18 AMP says, "We know [with confidence] that anyone born of God does not habitually sin; but He (Jesus) who was born of God [carefully] keeps and protects him, and the evil one does not touch him." - Amen.

Invitation to salvation: If you would like to receive Jesus and be born again into God's Kingdom, that is saved and have a personal relationship with God as Your Father and you as His child by receiving His Son, Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, I invite you to say this confession:

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever." AMEN.

GLORY TO GOD, You are now a new creation in Christ Jesus! In case you have not already, please prayerfully consider becoming a member of a church and get WATER BAPTIZED!

If you have not already, please read chapters 1-5 of John's Gospel! GOD BLESS YOU.