The Crippled Beggar

Jesus speaks to the problem of misguided faith

John 5:1–15 KJV 1900

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 Scene – Verses 1-4

John 5:1–4 NLT

1 Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches.

Why was Jesus going to Jerusalem, and what might have been the mood of the people in the city?

What purpose would the porches have around the pool?

Red Describe the scene.

Who all was there, and what were their purposes for being there?

Would it remind you of any modern scenario?

What was the mood of the people?

What were the people waiting for, and what caused them to be hopeful for it?

How many people might be there on an average day?

How many people might be there on a feast day like the day of this story?

The Situation – Verses 5-7

John 5:5–7 NLT

5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” 7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

What do we know about the man Jesus spoke with?

How old could he have been?

How dependent was he on others?

How would he have gotten to the pool?

Describe the faith it took for the man to come here.

What was his attitude toward his situation?

What was his illness?

Was he a righteous person?

Of all the people gathered there, why might Jesus have singled out this man?

Why did Jesus ask him if he wanted to be well?

Didn’t his presence at the pool show his desire for healing?

Did the man’s response include faith?

What did this man know about the one asking him the question?

Do we know whether or not the man really wanted a healing?

Explain.

Do people come to church expecting a life change?

Explain why or why not.

Did the man answer Jesus’ question?

Why would it be important for us to explain our own condition in order to be healed?

Explain why we make excuses for why we don’t receive some things from God.

Why is it important for us not to make assumptions, but to seek discernment about people’s needs before we pray for them?

Was the man persistent in his desire for healing?

What would have happened if he had given up hope the day before?

The Solution – Verses 8-9

John 5:8–9 NLT

8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” 9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath,

Did Jesus pray for the man?

What did Jesus tell the man to do?

Why do we as humans find it difficult to accept grace when it’s offered to us?

Why do we resist the concept that God’s gifts are available to us?

What is the importance of taking physical action in receiving healing?

Could the man’s attempt to stand have been the trigger for the healing to take effect?

How does Jesus’ healing here demonstrate the grace of God?

How long did it take for the man’s healing to take effect?

Sabbath Police, Sin and Sickness – Verses 10-15

John 5:10–15 NLT

10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!” 11 But he replied, “The man who healed me told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ” 12 “Who said such a thing as that?” they demanded. 13 The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. 14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” 15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him.

When the Jews saw the lame man was now walking, what was their reaction?

What role did the man’s bed have in defining him before the healing?

What role did it have afterwards?

In what way can our former problem become our current blessing?

Why are the Pharisees so upset at the man carrying his bed?

Why would a person be so intent on rules that they miss what God is doing?

What role do rules have in the growth of a Christian?

What was the man’s motivation for telling them someone else commanded him to carry his bed?

Why did they ask who it was that commanded him?

Where did Jesus find the man later?

What was the man doing here, and what is the significance in him being in this place now?

What does Jesus tell the man to do when he found him the second time?

Why does Jesus point out the man’s sin now, but not prior to his healing?

What does Jesus tell him will happen if he does not stop sinning?

What could be worse than being crippled for 38 years?

Did the man repent?

What might the relationship of sin and sickness be in our own lives?

Did the man deserve healing?

Did the man deserve forgiveness?

Why did Jesus extend these things to him?

What did the man do after Jesus left?

Is it possible to be blessed outwardly, but lost inwardly?

What is our obligation to do after Jesus blesses us?

Next Week’s Scriptures

The Desperate Daughter: Jesus speaks to the issue of fearful faith – Mark 5:24-34