After the Miracle

John 5:1–15 KJV

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. 11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. 12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? 13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. 15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

The First Visitation

Jesus invites us to wholeness

John 5:6 “6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

Jesus never forces himself into your life and situation

But he does have the power and the interest to help you

And he can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves

Jesus can overcome our worst tendencies

Jn 5.7 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.”

Pessimistic outlook

Excuses and justification for your negative state

Lack of accountability

There’s a whole lot we don’t know/understand when Jesus does the work for us

John 5:9–13 “9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. 11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. 12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? 13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.”

People don’t necessarily respond favorably

We just followed a word, but didn’t really associate all the implications of that word. (Take up your bed on the Sabbath)

We don’t even really know Jesus necessarily

The Second Visitation

A move toward expectations

John 5:14 “14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”

Some accountability needs to be taken for where you were

Going forward, there is an expectation on your life and decisions

Follow Me

The First vs. the Second Visitation

Proving goodness . . . . . seeding trust

He does what we can’t . . do what we can

In spite of us . . . . . . . . . . requires us

Give . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ask

Mercy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . development

Follow Me

Matthew 4:18–19 “18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

The disciples had previously been with Jesus and seen his miracles

But there came a time when they had to make a decision to follow

The Holy Ghost: from ‘for you’ to ‘with you’

John 16:7 “7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

Seeing Jesus and walking with him made it easy to rely on him

Comforter = helper: Jesus moves from being the ‘power’ to the ‘empowerer’

He is with you, but he shall be in you.