John 5:1–18 - 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, waiting for the moving of the waters; 4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted. 5 A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 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. 10 So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” 11 But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.’ ” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk’?” 13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” 15 The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” 18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
What does today’s passage say?
In today's passage, Jesus made His way through Jerusalem during a Jewish feast. Near the Sheep Gate, He came to the pool of Bethesda. Crowds of sick and disabled people lined the edges of the water. Among them lay a man who had suffered for 38 years, unable to move (vv. 1-7). Jesus walked up to him and spoke words that changed everything: "Stand up. Take your mat. Walk." The man's legs grew strong in an instant, and he did exactly that. But this miracle sparked trouble - it was the Sabbath day, and religious leaders got upset when they saw him carrying his mat (vv. 8-13). The story took another turn when Jesus found the man at the temple. He told him to turn from his sins. The Jewish leaders grew even more hostile after learning Jesus had done this healing, because He dared to call God His Father - making Himself God's equal (vv. 14-18).
How can I apply John 5:1-18 to my life?
When Jesus came to the crowded pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, He spotted one man among many who needed healing. For 38 years, this paralyzed man had waited by the water, hoping for a miracle but lacking the strength or help to reach it. His situation looked hopeless - until Jesus showed up. This meeting between divine power and human weakness teaches us vital lessons about faith and action. The story also shows us how Jesus breaks through human traditions to meet real needs. He did not wait for the man to ask for help. He did not follow the religious rules about the Sabbath. Instead, Jesus demonstrated His authority as God's Son by taking action when He saw someone hurting. Today, Jesus still works in ways that go beyond human expectations. His power to change lives remains just as strong. This passage pushes us to look past our comfort zones and see people as Jesus sees them. It challenges us to act when He prompts us, even if others might not understand. Most importantly, it shows us what happens when we trust and obey Jesus completely. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Imitate Jesus in Helping the Helpless (vv. 1-7): Jesus sees the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda and takes the first step toward helping him. Our human nature often tells us to wait until someone asks for help, but God's way turns this thinking upside down. The paralyzed man had no way to reach Jesus - no friends to carry him, no voice calling out in desperation. Yet Jesus walked straight to him! This truth hits home in our own lives because God did not wait for us to become good enough before sending His Son. Right now, people around us are stuck in their own versions of helplessness. Some battle addictions in silence. Others fight depression behind closed doors. Many simply need a friend but cannot break through their isolation. Taking action means being like Jesus - noticing the unnoticed and stepping toward those who cannot step toward us. Sure, it is uncomfortable. Yes, it might cost us time or energy we think we cannot spare. But God puts us in places where we can spot needs others miss. That elderly neighbor who struggles with grocery bags, the new kid eating lunch alone, or the coworker dealing with family crisis - these are our "pool of Bethesda" moments. When we move first to help others, we show them what God's love looks like in action. The truth is, most hurting people will not ask for help. They might even push help away at first. But just as Jesus knew exactly who needed Him that day, He guides us to those who need His touch through us (Matthew 9:35-36; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:19).
Food for thought: What keeps you from taking the first step to help someone in need? In what specific ways could you be more alert to the needs of hurting people around you?
2. Put Your Faith into Action (vv. 8-13): Jesus commands the paralyzed man to get up, take his bed, and walk - and the man obeys without question. "Get up and walk." These words probably hit the paralyzed man like a thunderbolt. After 38 years of stillness, his muscles had forgotten how to move. Yet something in Jesus' voice made him try the impossible. That same voice speaks to us today, calling us beyond what makes sense. Maybe it is reaching out to that difficult person at church. Perhaps it is finally dealing with that secret sin nobody else knows about. Or it could be stepping up to teach that Sunday School class even though public speaking terrifies you. Our excuses pile up fast. We tell ourselves we are not ready, not capable, not spiritual enough. The paralyzed man could have stayed on his mat, explaining all the reasons why getting up would not work. Instead, he chose raw obedience. His unused muscles screamed in protest, but faith pushed him forward. That mat he carried became his trophy - proof that God's power shows up when we take Him at His word. The same thing happens in our lives. Every time we choose obedience over comfort, we display God's work to a watching world. People see something different in us. That difference might show up in how we handle stress at work, treat our spouse during disagreements, or respond to life's disappointments. Small acts of obedience lead to bigger opportunities. That first wobbly step of faith opens the door to God's power in ways that amaze even us (James 2:14-17; Hebrews 11:6; John 14:15).
Food for thought: What command from God have you hesitated to obey because it seems too difficult? How has taking steps of obedience in the past strengthened your faith?
3. Submit to Jesus' Divine Authority (vv. 14-18): Jesus reveals His divine authority by healing on the Sabbath and calling God His Father. Following Jesus means accepting His full authority over every part of our lives, not just the comfortable areas. Life becomes much clearer when we stop trying to be our own boss. The paralyzed man faced criticism from religious leaders for carrying his mat on the Sabbath, but he knew who gave the command - Jesus did. That same choice faces us daily. Will we follow cultural rules that limit God's work, or will we submit to Jesus above all else? This kind of submission goes deeper than Sunday worship or bedtime prayers. It touches our career choices, how we spend money, what we watch for entertainment, and even the way we talk about others behind their backs. Some people view submission to Jesus as giving up freedom, but the opposite proves true. Real freedom comes when we stop fighting His authority and let Him direct our paths. The religious leaders grew angry because Jesus claimed equality with God. Today, many people still reject Jesus' authority, preferring to pick and choose which parts of His teaching they will follow. But partial submission is not submission at all. When we truly grasp who Jesus is - God in human form - our response can only be complete surrender. His authority extends over our private thoughts, public actions, and everything between. Living under His authority means doing right things even when they cost us something. It means speaking truth even when lies would make life easier. It means loving difficult people even when they do not love back. His authority brings peace because we no longer have to figure everything out on our own (Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 1:15-18; Matthew 28:18).
Food for thought: What areas of your life have you kept outside of Jesus' authority? How does knowing Jesus is God change the way you view His commands?
The healing at Bethesda shows us three vital aspects of our relationship with Jesus. First, He takes the initiative to help those who cannot help themselves, just as He did with the paralyzed man. This teaches us to look for ways to help others before they ask. Second, Jesus calls us to active faith that moves beyond our comfort zones and natural abilities. The paralyzed man's immediate obedience serves as a powerful example of faith in action. Finally, Jesus demonstrates His divine authority, challenging us to submit every area of our lives to His leadership. The religious leaders rejected His authority because it disrupted their man-made rules, but true followers recognize Jesus as God and yield to His commands. These truths still transform lives today. When we notice the hurting, step out in obedience, and submit to Jesus' authority, we experience the same power that lifted a paralyzed man to his feet. Our response to Jesus shapes not only our own lives but also impacts those around us who need to see His power in action.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would open my eyes to notice people who hurt in silence - the ones who fade into the background of busy lives. Sometimes I walk right past needs You want me to see. Like Jesus at Bethesda, teach me to stop and reach out. Break through my comfortable routines and self-focused habits.
I pray that You would spark in me the kind of bold faith that made a paralyzed man stand up after 38 years of lying helpless. My own faith often shrinks when You call me to hard things. Fear holds me back. Doubts creep in. Still, You keep calling me to trust You more. Push me past my excuses and into action that honors You.
I pray that You would take full control of my life - not just the easy parts I willingly give up, but those stubborn areas I keep trying to manage on my own. Some days I fight Your authority without even realizing it. My plans clash with Yours. My wisdom competes with Your truth. Strip away this pride that makes me think I know better than You do.
Lord, You found me when I was trapped in my own spiritual paralysis. You moved first. You loved first. You saved me first. Now shape me into someone who does the same for others, no matter what it costs.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
John 5:8 - Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.”
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
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