Jesus heals a man at the pool and confirms His authority as being equal with God.
John 5: The Healing at the Pool on the Sabbath
1 After this 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, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades.
3 In these lay a multitude of invalids---blind, lame, and paralyzed.
4
5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.
6 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?"
7 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."
8 Jesus said to him, "Get up, take up your bed, and walk."
9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.
10 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."
11 But he answered them, "The man who healed me, that man said to me, 'Take up your bed, and walk.'"
12 They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your bed and walk'?"
13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place.
14 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."
15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.
16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath.
17 But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I am working."
Jesus Is Equal with God
18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
The Authority of the Son
19 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, 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.
20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.
21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.
22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,
23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
25 "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.
27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
Witnesses to Jesus
30 "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.
31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true.
32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true.
33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.
34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.
35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
36 But 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.
37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen,
38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.
39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,
40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
41 I do not receive glory from people.
42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.
43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.
44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.
46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.
47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?"
Things to think about…
The location of the area where the story of the healing of the paralysed man in John 5 was uncertain until in the early 1900’s when this area near the sheep gate which had five porticos was discovered. The area is quite deep as other buildings including the remains of a Byzantine church were built over the top of this pool before it was uncovered. Jesus healed this man on the Sabbath and later finds him in the temple where he says “sin no more that nothing worse may happen to you”, Jn 5:14. There are worse things than noty being able to walk for almost 40 years. God’s grace comes with personal responsibility. We should never abuse God’s grace. If we truly have God’s grace and we are abusing it through our words or actions, our gracious God will make sure it doesn’t continue. A tender heart of obedience is always better than the rod of correction.
You can see John in writing Jn 5:18 is making the point that there is a tension that is gradually building between Jesus and the Jews. They were noting that Jesus was making Himself equal with God by saying He was God’s Son. Some truths are hard for us to hear, whether they are about God or ourselves. Better to be lovers of the truth regardless of what we have held to in the past. The truth will always set us free, even though there might be some initial adjustments required.
Jesus is loved by the Father and does His works. Even greater works will be done than healing a lame man on the Sabbath. Jesus says, “And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.”, Jn 5:20, 21. The greatest work is the resurrection of Jesus, confirming the Father accepted the sacrifice of Jesus for sinners. The way of heaven is open. The veil is torn and the Son gives life to whom He will.
Jesus speaks about His authority to give life and that all those who hear His voice will have eternal life, Jn 5:25. He says the dead will hear and have life, vs 25. But He also speaks of an hour coming when all who are in tombs will hear His voice – some to the resurrection of life and some to the resurrection of death. We know Revelation 20 speaks of these resurrections. We can live our lives and ignore the fact that one day these events will be fulfilled in terrifying reality and resolve. Regardless of whether people accept it there is a resurrection and a life after death, let’s never be guilty of not informing those who need to hear. Their acceptance or rejection of these things is in the hands of the Lord – but our calling remains clear.
Jesus explains that the Father sent Him. But the law was also fulfilled because John was one who also bore witness, not that Jesus needed this witness, but Jesus exalts John the Baptist’s testimony. Jesus says His testimony is greater than that of John’s, Jn 5:30-47. Jesus says the scriptures which speak of Him were being ignored. They loved Moses, but Jesus says they do not accept the witness and words that Moses wrote about Himself. Some love the Bible. However, we can love the stories and even some of the teachings, but when there is a confrontation with the Person that the Bible describes as the Saviour against sin, there is often a pulling back. Our Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus is One with the Father. Pray and ask that a miracle might occur that they might receive the gift of spiritual sight to be able to see Jesus as Saviour. The truth is that the Jews today even though they say they exalt Moses, they are in fact rejecting the words of Moses, because Moses testified of Jesus, Dt 18:15-18 that the Lord would raise up a Prophet. They do not believe Moses’ words and therefore do not accept the words of the Saviour.
Glory only belongs in one place, Jn 5:41-44. Jesus rebukes the glory they would give each other. They lift up the scriptures, vs 39 but do not turn to Christ, vs 40. Jesus says Moses actually accuses them for their misplaced glory, vss 44 , 45. These are religious men who exalt the scriptures, but don’t actually believe them because they don’t believe in and follow the One whom they speak of, vs 46 hence they do not receive the words of Jesus, vs 47. Tragically this is a blight in the modern church. There is a regard foir the scriptures but a denial of them because there is a rejection of how our faith should be carried out. As a result, the church is feminised in its modern leadership, it rejects 6 day literal creation, a global flood, the biblical origin of languages, the role and place of Israel, OT prophesies yet to be fulfilled, eternal conscious punishment. The list goes on.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer points
1. Pray for Doug’s message on Sunday
2. Pray Venezuela continues to know healing and grace over the coming weeks as they recover.
3. Nigeria must be delivered from Fulani jihadists. Pray for those poor Christians – the widows and orphans.
4. Pray for Iran the peace process is never going to be kept without a genuine desire for it to be maintained.
5. Pray for the Sacred Minds podcast and our online ministry
6. Pray for One for Israel and their witness in this time of challenge and conflict.
7. Pray for the church in Australia that it focuses on Christ, His Word and holiness.
8. Pray for our leaders in Australia that they press in closer to Christ.
9. The Royal Commission that the Jewish people will feel safe in Australia.
10. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, Kids@church, sound/technical, giving, podcast.
11. Reform and Revival over our city and country.
12. Finances to cover our needs
13. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for God’s grace as we heard again on Sunday morning.
2. Praise God for His word having an impact on Sunday, may we honour Him this week. Bring a testimony of grace next week.
3. Praise the Lord for children and grandchildren 😊.
4. Praise the Lord for Graham’s message on false prophets.
5. Praise the Lord for the encouragement the Word of God brought people over the weekend.
6. Praise God for ministries – Life Groups, Prayer meetings, Kids@Church
7. Café team every week. Thankyou to all those who serve and bring food. Especially Fiona, Maddie and Suzy and those who supply it every week Eg Ros - Milk.
8. Worship, Admin and Technical teams – Peter, Nita, Brendon, AJ, Suzy, Maddie, Mathys, Doug.
9. Kids Church teachers – Jacqueline, Maddie, Elise, Anastacia and Fiona
10. The Lord’s faithfulness this year to CBC and all who have served in ministries
11. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. No Prayer meeting on school holidays.
2. All Life Groups off over the school holidays
3. Dave Pellowe from Church and State preaching 26th July.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for June...
Q. 2. What else did God make? A. God made all things.
