Day #281

Sermon - Audio
John 5 - Reading
John 5 - Audio

Daily Insights - Please Comment

After the now-expected travel link (4:43–46a), John narrates two miracle stories (the second and third of the seven signs around which this Gospel is partly organized). The first is the healing of the official’s son (4:46b–54), which John labels “the second sign that Jesus did” (4:54). Before extracting thematic meaning from such an event, we need to relive its details in our imagination. The healing of the lame man on the Sabbath (5:1–18) is likewise filled with particularized details. It ends as a conflict story between Jesus and the religious establishment, and this is a unifying plot motif in the Gospel of John. Again we see Jesus as someone who challenges traditional practices, in this case the religious observance of the Sabbath. -ESVLB-

Notes on Pool of Bethesda Healing:

1. This pool has been excavated in the area just north of the temple mount, and found to have five porches, just as John says. It is also right next to a church from the crusader period that has fabulous acoustics.

2. The "healing pool" is an interesting thought. It is believed that it may have been an urban legend that the people believed to be true, or that maybe there actually was something strange about this pool.

3. "Do you want to be made well?" - As bad as our current situation is, at least we are familiar with it. We know it. It won’t surprise us. We can be more comfortable in our present misery than taking the steps we need to be free.

4. The man does want to be healed, but doesn't see how God could heal him since he can't get in the pool. He is limiting God like all of us do.

5. Jesus shows that the water does not have the power to heal, it is God.

6. The Jews present could care less about the miracle, but are caught up in the Sabbath controversy. The man doesn't know Jesus yet, but Jesus comes back and lets the man know who He is.

Notes on Jesus' talk with the Jews there:

1. Jesus is seen as a false teacher that is leading people to break the Sabbath...for that they want to kill Him.

2. Jesus claims to be the Son of the Father...therefore, making Himself equal to God in the eyes of the people there...for that they REALLY want to kill Him.

3. Jesus basically states, "My Father has worked on the Sabbath, and so do I."

4. Jesus does nothing independent of the Father. They are in a loving relationship. The Son has been given equal authority as the Father. The people should honor Jesus for this.

Notes on Ending of Chapter:

1. Jesus knows that the people want more than just His testimony. He provides them with evidence seen in JTB, His Works, and the OT (Word).

2. Jesus tells the people that eternal life is found in Him and the scriptures point to this.

3. The people are concerned with their own status and honor. Jesus is rewriting what the people thought the Messiah would come and do. They don't like this, therefore, they reject Him.

4. The very thing they base all their religion on testifies against them. Deut 18:15, Sacrifices/Offerings, etc