The Healing to Sin No More

Today’s story is one that will challenge your picture of Jesus. Many of us think of Jesus as a healer, that in his compassion and love for humanity he healed all disease, sickness and infirmity. That he had an aura and to be near him was to be healed. Yet this story says otherwise. He comes to the pools of Bethesda where a multitude of people are and yet he heals only one person. What about the rest of them why not heal them all why just the one man? Why is the story not over once he is healed, why seek him out in the temple? Look with me at John 5:1-15 as we discover Jesus true purpose in healing this man.

John 5:1–15 ESV

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’ ” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

Jesus Heals One Among Many

John 5:1–9 ESV

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.

Bethesda - house of mercy

multitude of invalids Jesus could have healed them all, could have spoke and everyone was healed, could have touched each one, could have said if you believe instead he chooses one man

There was a belief that when the waters were stirred the first one in was healed think hot springs and sulphur springs being healing waters.

This man had been lame for 38 years - years he had spent trying to be first but always to late

This is his one hope his only chance

Jesus asks you want to be healed

He responds I aint quick enough Im not good enough me me me

someone else is always faster some else is always better

He has no idea who is speaking to him

Jesus tells him to get up take up your bed and walk

There is no faith shown here on the part of the man he is healed because God spoke into his life

Out of all the people present why this man?

Healing on the Sabbath

John 5:9–13 ESV

And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’ ” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place.

Sabbath - the day of rest

According to the Mishnah a collection of Rabbinic teachings you could not carry any burden from private to public domain or vice-versa Thus this man was violating not the law itself but rabbinic teachings

The accusation you should not carry your bed

His response the man who healed me said to so i listened. He healed my lameness he must be of God.

They respond who said this

Notice its not who is he who healed you who made you whole

who is the man of God who worked in your life

No instead its who violated our rules, tell us

Let us deal with him and his violation of our rules

The man did not even know it was Jesus

he didnt ask who it was that healed him

He took his miracle and ran

Jesus left due to the crowd

All the lame the blind deaf etc was wanting to be healed asking and yet Jesus leaves

Jesus seeks out the man

John 5:14–15 ESV

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

Notice it is not the man who seeks Jesus but Jesus who seeks out the man

The question is not will you find Jesus but will you answer when he knocks will you listen when he calls. He is calling he is knocking he is seeking you even now whether lost or saved Jesus is calling you to come closer to him to draw nigh and listen how will you answer him?

Then notice he does not say believe in me and all will be well but rather he challenges him to sin no more that nothing worse may happen to you.

Many commentators believe the man’s illness was connected to some sort of sin and Jesus was telling him not to fall back into that sin again lest he become impaired worse than he was before. Yet others suggest that this a blanket statement to go and sin not for losing your soul would be worse than being lame.

Both of these are possible scenarios yet I suggest that Jesus is stating the second one in order to call the man to righteous living. Remember Jesus main reason for coming was not only to save us from sin but to restore us to righteousness. This man needed both and by calling him to perfect righteousness he might come to recognize his own need for a savior. Though he was not ready yet I believe Jesus was planting seeds for a later harvest unto salvation. We are left without knowing the outcome. Yet Jesus was clearly calling the man to holiness to repent of his sin.

Invitation

My challenge to you this morning is what is the sin that Jesus is calling you to repent of this morning. You may be saved and the sin may seem small but remember Romans 6:23

Romans 6:23 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sin always brings about death and you will suffer consequences in this life for your sin. Jesus is telling you to repent will you obey him today. Will you lay down your sin. You cannot fix your sin on your own but neither is it a passive process. Your sins are forgiven by the blood of Christ but you must also choose to turn away from your sin in obedience to Christ. Will you obey him today?

There may be someone here today who has not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. You still carry the heavy burden of your sin yourself. Will you choose today to accept Jesus sacrifice on your behalf and pledge your life to Jesus as your Lord and master today, that he might cover your sins and make you clean. Will you turn away from your sin and back to God today?