When Waters Stir

Introduction

John 5:1–13 NASB 95

1 After these things 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 porticoes. 3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, waiting for the moving of the waters; 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. 5 A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 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?” 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.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” 9 Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day. 10 So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” 11 But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.’ ” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk’?” 13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place.

Historical account with 2 parts:

Part 1: The Power

Pool of Bethesda (Bethsaida)

pools such as this were used for ceremonial cleansing, but became—in essence—pagan temples where folks believed that they could be healed when the waters were stirred up.

Sick & lame would stay on the edge, in the water, and even sleep near the pools to take advantage of this phenomenon

stirring of waters caused/allowed the first in to be healed of their infirmity

v 3b-4 are not in earliest manuscripts, but shed light on v. 7

The lame man

38 years ill — not E. Carolin “ill”, but sick

could not enter the waters quick enough when they stirred.

desired to be made whole

Jesus

asked, “Do you wish to get well?”

commanded, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.”

His place of weakness became his greatest test of faith. He said he couldn’t get to the pool, but now Jesus offered something better. However, he would need to “get up”

2 Corinthians 12:9 “9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

Part 2: The Proclamation

This miracle took place during a Jewish feast (?) and on the Sabbath

Mosaic Law strictly forbid work on the Sabbath, and by Jesus’ day, the laws & regulations had been greatly twisted and abused

The man stated fact: the man who told me to get up told me to carry my mat…so I did.

By healing this man Jesus proclaimed two important facts:

1. He is a healer/miracle worker

2. He is LORD of the sabbath — He is God!

Conclusion

Exactly what—if anything—was taking place in the pool was not the important part

The man was looking for healing, but He found the Healer.

You may be looking for relief in all the “pools” of men, but Jesus is the one who effects miracles