Follow Jesus Series 13

“Are You Willing?”

Text: John 5:1-13

Introduction

Have you ever went somewhere thinking you were going to receive a particular service or going to a just to find out it was not what you thought?

Have you every thought that there was only one way to accomplish something? However, you come to learn there was another way. Turned out it was actually a better way.

Bethesda = house of mercy

The timing of this miracle could have been anywhere from the month of March or April. We are not sure what feast Jesus was observing and it really doesn’t matter to the main message of this particular miracle.

(include picture of the pool of Bethesda)

1) The Hopelessness Of Humanity

Under the shelter of one of these porches was where a miserable group of human beings gathered. Notice their despairing illnesses: blindness, lameness, withered limbs, many were helpless yet ALL were hopeless. The fact of them being there spoke to their hopelessness.

These folks were gathered in response to a healing of the lesser problems of their life (physical).

All of these ailments speak to a much worse spiritual disease:

Weak: Romans 5:6 “6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

Blind: 2Cor. 4:4 “4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

Lame: Hebrews 12:13 “13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.”

We should never forget to have a deep hatred for sin!

Quote: Sin was the original root, cause, and fountain of every disease in the world. God did not create the man to be full of aches, pains, and infirmities. These things are fruits of the fall. There would have been no sickness if there had been no sin. - J.C. Ryle

All of these illnesses are clearly representing proof of the depth of Adams’ fall from God’s original creation.

With such a gathering of people tells the tell of how careless people are about sin.

Prov. 14:9 “9 Fools make a mock at sin: But among the righteous there is favour.”

This would be equal to someone loving his enemies and hating his friends.

Take time look over at the hospitals and doctor office the next you pass by and think of the havoc sin is making on earth.

These physical issues do have some very painful consequences. Yet these are not as serious as the spiritual ones; eternal consequences.

Withered and helpless as all lost sinners truly are.

All of humanity is in a despairing and hopeless condition with a perfect Savior!!!

Let us pray for the soon coming of King Jesus!!

As Jesus approaches this hopeless gathering, He focuses on one particular individual.

This was strategic. Notice how long this guy has been here; 38 years.

You can’t tell me this guy wasn’t well known as well as brushed off to their forgetfulness.

Think about 38 years in this condition!

How deep his desperation and frustration must have gotten.

Every day he watched what seemed to be his only hope vanish as quick as it appeared.

They would go home rejoicing while he remained their in agony.

Everyone was out for themselves while giving no thought to the needs of others.

Have you noticed the longer you live the more we find how selfish the world is?

Prov. 14:20 “20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: But the rich hath many friends.”

Jesus is the helper to the helpless and hope for the hopeless!!!

This was the scene that Jesus walked into at the house of mercy.

Side note… what kind of scene would Jesus walk into if He walked into this church; house of mercy?

To be honest, He walks in here every time we gather through His Spirit!

Does he find you only inwardly focused or focused also on those around you?

He actually goes with you wherever you go!!!

2) The Healing Invitation

Take a look at verses 6-7

Notice the fact Jesus knew exactly how long this man had been with this ailment!

To think for a minute Jesus had to inquire about the state of this man, is a very weak perspective about Jesus.

Jesus knows every sickness and disease! Nothing is hid from Him!

As long as child of God passes not from His sight, His Spirit will always minister to them.

He might not heal, but He will provide!

Remember the kind of High Priest Jesus is for you!!!

Once again, Jesus took the initiative!

While the world made this man feel overlooked, neglected, and forgotten, little did he know he and his pain never flew under the radar of Jesus’ all seeing eye!!!

This man responds with a lack of faith and excuses

This man delayed to simply answer the question; “Are you willing to be healed?”

Quote: Perhaps it revealed the object of the man’s faith as being in others, who he hoped would help him, and, ultimately, in the power of the pool. His hope of salvation may have been a mixture of faith and works (Ephesians 2:8–9). The ineffectiveness of that formula had been all too obvious for thirty-eight long years.11 Charles C. Ryrie, The Miracles of Our Lord (Dubuque, IA: ECS Ministries, 2005), 25.

Quit continuing your life in hesitance to simply believe on Jesus!

There is no more vain an idea that Jesus is not willing to receive all who will confess their sinfulness and confess a trusting faith in Him.

The same Jesus who came to Bethesda is also reaching out and offering you the same question, “Are you willing to be healed?”

Take a look at verses 8-9

What is interesting about this miracle is that there was not a pre-surrendering of faith before Jesus performed it.

This miracle was an act of which to open this man’s eye’s to who Jesus was and in turn believe on Him.

God does miraculous things and even takes steps to provide for those who makes excuses for trusting Him!

Please notice how the moment of faith is what permitted this miracle to enter into his body.

This man did have to rise up on his own feet.

It was all of Jesus, yet He enjoys making us exert ourselves to show our faith and obedience.

Maybe what is hindering a particular provision from God is a faith of obedience? CHECK YOUR HEART!

Notice the timing between Jesus’ words and the actual healing; there is none!!! INSTANTANEOUS & COMPLETE!!!

This man just entered into a whole new world.

NOTHING is too hard for Jesus to accomplish!

This man simply obeyed the power of Jesus’ word.

It is not hard to believe this miracle happened when you understand that Jesus is the creator of all creation. That includes every muscle, nerves and bones in the human body.

Hebrews 4:12 “12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

We can learn a great spiritual truth here:

Quote: The proof of our spiritual cure is our rising and walking. Hath Christ healed our spiritual diseases? Let us go whithersoever he sends us, and take up whatever he is pleased to lay upon us, and walk before him. Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 1943.

Quote: By grace we are saved, through faith. Faith is never stated to be the cause of salvation in the New Testament; it is rather the channel through which the grace of God comes to us.11 Charles C. Ryrie, The Miracles of Our Lord (Dubuque, IA: ECS Ministries, 2005), 25.

3) The Great Warning

Verses 10-11

This man’s first encounter with Jesus was not one where who Jesus was was made very clear.

He had never seen Jesus before. Maybe he had heard of Him.

It wasn’t about the knowledge this man had about Jesus, but the knowledge Jesus had about him.

Can you reflect back to your coming to know who Jesus was?

Verses 12-14

Where was the first place this man went after Jesus healed him? THE TEMPLE

He did not let a day pass by!

He went there to return thanks to God.

Application — How often do you return praise to God when he provides for you?

Notice Jesus’ pursuit of the spiritual:

Jesus healed him, yet He was not done with him.

Jesus calls his attention to consider deeply what He had just done for him. (V14)

“lest a worse thing come to thee”

You would have thought 38 years would be enough for him never to forget.

Too often, out nature is to forget what God has done for us.

Verses 15-16

Once he knew it was Jesus, he delayed not to inform his own people.

He intended to honor Jesus and benefit the Jews.

Conclusion

Are you willing to receive Jesus’ healing?

It is never a question whether He is able.

How does one receive new life from Jesus?