Problem: Looking for Relief in the Wrong
Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. [4] [b] 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.
- The Greeks believed Spirits entered through water, so when water bubbled from the spring they thought it was those spirits passing through
- Romans adopted and adapted the Greeks belief in gods and superstitions
- This spot was found at the end of the 18th century exactly as John describes it with some interesting details
- Around 120 A.D., Emperor Hadrian built a temple to aklepios, the god of healing on top the colonnade
- This location was a dual pool with the upper reservoir feeding the lower colonnade where the sick would meet
- It was located on the Roman property of Jerusalem and was the Roman armys water source
- We know from vs. 14 that this man was a Jew as he went and worshiped at the temple
- Crippled, plagued, sick, etc. were not allowed to worship in temple
- Remember last week about the woman at the wells first question about worship? Here, the mans first action is to worship God where he has been denied for the last 38 years.
- Greek word Tetherapeumeno (therap-yoo-o): To be relieved of/find relief (Vs. 10)
Question: So why is this Jewish man at a gentile pool trying to be healed a pagan way?
Problem: Looking for Help in the wrong
6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
- Invalid: Greek word Asthenon: To be physically or morally weak (Vs. 7)…man
- Learned: Greek word Horaho: To see/perceive with inward spiritual perception (vs. 6)
- Want: Greek word Theleis: To be ready and willing to act (vs. 6)
- Jesus does not simply ask if this man wants…He asks if He is ready and willing
*Why does Jesus ask this question?
- Two answers:
- It’s a legitimate question, sometimes we are not ready or willing to act for our own healing
- Saw: Greek word Gnous: To know through personal/first hand acquaintance (vs. 6)
- Last week, Jesus had a Gnous about the womans situation, similarly, Jesus had Gnous about this mans situation
- If Jesus had a first hand acquaintance knowledge of this man, why does he ask this question? Surely he knew?
*Like Adam and Eve in the garden when God asks Where are you? Here, Jesus asks a question that is meant to expose something. He asks if the man is willing because the man has never asked!
- Jesus asks, Are you ready and willing to act for your healing. The man responds, the problem is not that I am not ready or willing to act, but I am UNABLE and NO ONE IS WILLING to help me!
Jesus Response:
8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
- The I AMs of Jesus
- I am the resurrection (week 1)
- I am the life (week 1)
- I am the living water (week 2)
- I am the bread of life (week 2)
- I am the truth (Next week)
- TONIGHT: I AM WILLING!!!
- See Matthew 8:1-3- The leper asks Jesus, If you are willing and Jesus answer, I am willing
Bethesda: House of Grace
- Grace means to receive what you do not deserve
- This man was looking for relief from his situation in the wrong place with the wrong people, but Jesus did not help based off of who the man was, but because of who HE is
*If we are to emulate Christ, and possess the same Spirit, then our response should be that I AM WILLING…whether they deserve it or not!
*We say I am willing and help not because who they are, but because who is in us!
Religions Response: before
The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10 and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.”11 But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ 12 So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?”
Relieved to Response:
13 The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.
- Notice there was a great number (vs. 3) in need and a great crowd (vs. 13)
- Healing was the exception, not the rule
- All who were there except one remained in affliction
- Notice Jesus does not use the water. In doing so, the glory would have been given to the pagan gods, not God
*Jesus helped first and corrected after the man worshiped. Religious authority corrected, but wouldn’t help
Questions for Guided Discussion
- The man by the pool was in his weakness for 38 years. Share a battle, weakness, sin, or struggle that you have, or are currently struggling with now.
- This man in his desperation was looking for relief from his situation in the wrong place. What places do we look for relief that are like the pagan pool?
- Seemingly, the man at the pool never asked God for help, rather looked for it in other people who were unwilling. Why do we not ask God for help? Especially if we know He is willing?
- What does it mean to be ready and willing to act in relieving our situation? What does it mean to not be ready or willing to act?
- This man showed he was willing and ready, but unable. Share experiences when you were unable to overcome something you were ready and willing to defeat.
- The Jewish authority elevated their position for the Law over this person. Jesus emphasized the well-being of this man before He discipled him in his sin. What things do we elevate above the well-being of others? Politics? Power? Proving we are right?
- As we possess the Spirit of Christ, where can you do better in emulating Christ in hard situations? Where have you been, or are currently unwilling to help those who cannot help themselves?
- After the man was relieved of this situation, Jesus later found him worshiping in the temple. Like this man by the pool, what actions can you take this week to properly respond to this message?