Digging Deeper into the Gospel of John (John 5)

It does not take long in John 5 before we are struck with a timeless question from Jesus. In fact, it is a question that, today, we find ourselves needing to ask ourselves often. And it is a question that continues to stir anyone who truly wants to see themselves move forward into a whole new life and reality with Jesus.

Do you want to get well? (Jn. 5:6, NIV)

Jesus asks a man in John 5 this question because, on top of the fact he had been an invalid for 38 years, he had seemingly lost all hope. He had given up on the chance to find healing unless someone, somewhere could put him in this magical pool people referred to as Bethesda by the Sheep Gate (Jn. 5:2). But as he would soon discover, he needed something more than what everyone, including himself, thought he required. He needed something only Jesus could provide. Only this time, what he really needed would not come in the form of water found in a pool, but by the words of Jesus, Himself.

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. (Jn. 5:7-9, ESV)

Where we see a man who was broken, both literally and figuratively, ready to succumb to his human frailty, Jesus breathes new life into him. Sabbath or not, Jesus doesn’t give a second thought to the way people might see his actions. For as He so clearly states in John 5:17 and 19 (ESV), “My Father is working until now, and I am working. … The Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.” And indeed, that is exactly what we see come to pass, yet again, in the life of someone else Jesus interacts with. Jesus makes His supernatural presence known to all who allow themselves to see Him for who He is.

But as is always the case with Jesus, where healing is one of the things He is about, there is always so much more. Here are some of my other takeaways from this week’s message and study in John 5:

Sometimes you cannot even picture what freedom looks like in your life. You need Jesus to release you from affliction or sin and the Holy Spirit to help make it clear for you.
If we do want to get well, particularly with the sin in our lives, we must ask for forgiveness and make the choice to, “Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you (Jn. 5:14).” We must confess our sins, ask for forgiveness, and walk away from the sin in our lives and into the arms of Jesus.
It is important for us to have a healthy honor and respect for God the Father and His Son, Jesus (Jn. 5:21-23).
There is so much more to us, and who we are, than what we do.
We are not made to keep ourselves secret, or stay isolated, away from other people. We are meant to be in relationships and with other people who walk with us in our lives both in good times, and in the bad ones.
Doing the right thing requires taking responsibility. We cannot remain victims, or shift blame for our own actions to others.
If we truly want to follow Jesus, we will come to a point where we must make a clear choice: Do we believe He is who He said He was? Or not? Will we follow His instructions for our lives? Or will we not? (Jn. 5:25-29)
Our faith is backed up by our actions.
God is seen firsthand in Jesus. They are one in the same. What we see Jesus doing, God is too.
All of Scriptures points to Jesus. You cannot read and believe what Moses wrote in the Old Testament without also believing what Jesus does and says in the New Testament. It is not a one over the other situation, but a one in all. (Jn. 5:39-47)

What are some of your takeaways from John 5? What did His Word show you this week? And what else came to your attention through Pastor Mike’s sermon on Sunday?

The testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. (Jn. 5:36, ESV)