John 5:1-18
The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.
The apostle John recorded seven signs that reveal Jesus’ authority and the importance of believing in Him for eternal life (John 20:30–31). The third sign, recorded in John Chapter 5, took place at Bethesda, where many with severe ailments waited by the pool for healing.
Jesus singled out a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years, hopeless and unable to reach the healing water in time. When Jesus asked, “Do you want to be healed?” the man explained his predicament (v.7). With just a few words, Jesus healed him instantly and commanded, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” Jesus’ act of instant healing signifies that God can intervene at any moment, regardless of how long we’ve been waiting.
Do you want to be healed? Sometimes, we get so used to our struggles that it’s easier to stay stuck, making excuses and seeking pity. The longer we dwell in our pain, the more bitter we become toward God and the further we drift from Him. Dear brothers and sisters, in what areas of your life do you need the Lord’s intervention? Are you actively seeking His help or just passively waiting?
Instead of celebrating the healing, the Jews confronted the man for carrying his mat on the Sabbath (v.10). Unlike previous miracles where people believed in Jesus, this time, religious leaders were more concerned with legalism than the miracle itself. The healed man, not yet knowing Jesus’ identity, simply obeyed the One who had healed him.
The man responded that he was carrying his mat at the instruction of the man who had healed him (v.11). In this, the man likely recognized that, because Jesus had demonstrated power over nature, Jesus must also have authority of Sabbath, although he didn’t know the person who had healed him was Jesus.
The healed man met Jesus in the temple later. Why did Jesus remind him to not sin again? (v.15) Some commentators had argued that it may have been his sin that had caused him to be paralyzed in the first place. We cannot be sure on this.
Jesus wasn’t finished with this man yet. Yes, he had been healed physically, but Jesus cared more about his spiritual healing than his physical healing. Jesus was probably continuing to teach him that there is more to wellness than physical health. The man seemed to understand that Jesus’ question “Do you want to get well?” (NIV) was more than just physical wellness, because, when Jesus found the man again, the man was in the temple, maybe to offer thanksgiving to God.
Dear brothers and sisters, when God restores us, He calls us to worship Him and live in holiness. We cannot return to our old life of sin. May the Holy Spirit empower us to overcome sin daily and live for His glory.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy and power to heal, both physically and spiritually. Just as You restored the paralyzed man, restore us in the areas where we are weak. Help us not just seek physical blessings but to desire a deeper relationship with You. Strengthen us to walk in holiness and live each day in worship. May Your Spirit guide us to overcome sin and trust in You always. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
The apostle John recorded seven signs that reveal Jesus’ authority and the importance of believing in Him for eternal life (John 20:30–31). The third sign, recorded in John Chapter 5, took place at Bethesda, where many with severe ailments waited by the pool for healing.
Jesus singled out a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years, hopeless and unable to reach the healing water in time. When Jesus asked, “Do you want to be healed?” the man explained his predicament (v.7). With just a few words, Jesus healed him instantly and commanded, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” Jesus’ act of instant healing signifies that God can intervene at any moment, regardless of how long we’ve been waiting.
Do you want to be healed? Sometimes, we get so used to our struggles that it’s easier to stay stuck, making excuses and seeking pity. The longer we dwell in our pain, the more bitter we become toward God and the further we drift from Him. Dear brothers and sisters, in what areas of your life do you need the Lord’s intervention? Are you actively seeking His help or just passively waiting?
Instead of celebrating the healing, the Jews confronted the man for carrying his mat on the Sabbath (v.10). Unlike previous miracles where people believed in Jesus, this time, religious leaders were more concerned with legalism than the miracle itself. The healed man, not yet knowing Jesus’ identity, simply obeyed the One who had healed him.
The man responded that he was carrying his mat at the instruction of the man who had healed him (v.11). In this, the man likely recognized that, because Jesus had demonstrated power over nature, Jesus must also have authority of Sabbath, although he didn’t know the person who had healed him was Jesus.
The healed man met Jesus in the temple later. Why did Jesus remind him to not sin again? (v.15) Some commentators had argued that it may have been his sin that had caused him to be paralyzed in the first place. We cannot be sure on this.
Jesus wasn’t finished with this man yet. Yes, he had been healed physically, but Jesus cared more about his spiritual healing than his physical healing. Jesus was probably continuing to teach him that there is more to wellness than physical health. The man seemed to understand that Jesus’ question “Do you want to get well?” (NIV) was more than just physical wellness, because, when Jesus found the man again, the man was in the temple, maybe to offer thanksgiving to God.
Dear brothers and sisters, when God restores us, He calls us to worship Him and live in holiness. We cannot return to our old life of sin. May the Holy Spirit empower us to overcome sin daily and live for His glory.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy and power to heal, both physically and spiritually. Just as You restored the paralyzed man, restore us in the areas where we are weak. Help us not just seek physical blessings but to desire a deeper relationship with You. Strengthen us to walk in holiness and live each day in worship. May Your Spirit guide us to overcome sin and trust in You always. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.