Sep. 29, 2024

                                                                   John 5:1-9

                                                    “Do You Wish to Be Whole?”

September 29, 2024                                                                                Dr. Don Bazal

          The fifth chapter of John begins simply when Jesus goes to Jerusalem for a   

    feast and on the Sabbath heals a man who has never walked.  Out of this 

    miracle grows the key chapter to the Gospel of John.  Why the key?  Because it   

    traces two major themes.  First, it records the beginning of the bitter hostilities 

    of the Jews toward Christ.  A year and a half later the jews still hated Christ for 

    breaking their laws concerning the Sabbath (7:23).  Two full years later, they 

    will succeed in having Jesus crucified.

         Second, this chapter includes the strongest arguments for the deity of 

    Christ.   He claims a unique relationship with the Father, a statement which the 

    Jews understood as a claim to deity (5:18).  Then Jesus offers four witnesses to  

    substantiate His claim.  Those who deny that Jesus never claimed to be God 

    either have not read or do not understand this chapter.

                                                                             The Gospel of John by Elmer Towns          

  I.  TIMING OF THE MIRACLE:  5:1

       John 5:19-20 –  Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, 

      truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He 

      sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also 

      does in like manner. ²⁰ For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things 

      that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than 

      these, so that you will marvel.

 II. PURPOSE OF THE MIRACLE

      First Miracle – forged faith in the disciples:  2:11

     John 2:11 - This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and 

     manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

     Second Miracle – forged faith in Herod’s household:  4:53

      John 4:53 – So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to 

     him, “Your son lives”; and he himself believed and his whole household.

     Third Miracle – forged faith in one man whose faith was a false hope:  5:8-9

       John 5:8-9 – Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” 

      ⁹ Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to 

      walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day.

III. PLACE OF THE  MIRACLE:   5:2-4

      At Bethseda – “House of Mercy”

     A pool in Jerusalem

 IV. PERSON RECEIVING THE MIRACLE:  5:5

       - crippled for 38 years

  V. PERSON OFFERING THE MIRACLE:  5:6-8

       God Himself!

Hebrews 4:13 – And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Isaiah 35:6a – Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy.