1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
The Doctrine of Healing: This ‘pool’ was called Bethesda (Hebrew) and Bethsaida (Greek) which means ‘house of mercy’ or ‘house of double spring’; Today it is called St. Anne’s Pool. Some (liberals) believe that the spring waters had special medicinal properties in them, as do other springs of the area (Bath, Saratoga, etc.) and when agitated a bit causes these medicinals to exert their healing properties more readily. But, why would only the first person stepping into the waters be healed?… why not all who stepped in?! It is obviously a miracle by God; it was a regular occurring phenomena; probably every year…on a feast day. God performed healings to the lost and saved alike in the O.T. era. Faith was needed on the part of those who would show up and wait for the stirring of the waters. Jesus used this opportunity to show mercy and heal this man who had for many years tried to be healed by God, but was unable to. This man didn’t even have a friend or relative that would be willing to help him get into the water. Jesus tends to heal folks that are by themselves, forgotten, not popular, in great need, consistently showing faith… In order for this healing to take place, the impotent man needed to act on faith: rise, take up thy bed, and walk. This is ridiculous to ask an impotent man (lame); but, Jesus knew the outcome. The man had faith. The healing occurred immediately; and it was fully complete. The main purpose of this healing might have been to irritate the Pharisees with a good ‘work’ being done on the Sabbath. Oftentimes God’s healings have a bigger purpose than just healing the individual.
10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. 11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. 12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? 13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. 15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. 16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
The Doctrine of Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ often caused great grief to the Pharisees by healing on the Sabbath (Mt 12:9-14, Mk 1:29-31, Lk 6:6-11, Lk 14:1-6, Jn 9:14). Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath; the Sabbath was created for man, not man for the Sabbath. Jesus wasn’t that well known then; well, at least this impotent man had no idea who He was. Jesus often dealt with folk in private: this was to protect from His popularity rising to fast; to have the individual be used of God in witnessing to others; and because it is more effective to work one-on-one than in a group. Jesus had a group of religious leaders following Him trying to find some fault with Him; He gave them plenty of opportunities (i.e. with the Sabbath).
The Doctrine of Evangelism: As stated above, it is more effective to deal with someone one-on-one than in a group setting. If they are in a group, talk to them some and then later find a convenient time to deal with them alone. Jesus believed in ‘follow-up visits’; they are the most effective evangelistic encounters. Part of Jesus’ witnessing to this man involved telling him to ‘sin no more’, and a warning about God’s judgment (a worse thing come). Repentance and Judgment need to be spoken of when leading someone to Christ.
17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. 19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. 21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. 22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
The Doctrine of Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ emphatically stated that ‘God’ was His ‘Father’, making Himself equal with God (i.e. making Himself God). Jesus Christ while on Earth, and for eternity future and past, does whatever the Father does (and says to do). Apparently, the Father has shown Jesus all that He wants Him to do; was this in a word illustration format? or, some visual media format? How did the Father show Him? Jesus Christ is subordinate to the Father, but, nonetheless, equal to the Father in essence (i.e. divinity). The Father doesn’t judge any man; all judgment has been committed unto the Son.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
The Doctrine of Salvation: In order to receive everlasting life, one must actual ‘hear His word’ (i.e. the truth of the Bible)(not with the ears, but, rather, with the heart/mind) and believe on the Father.
The Doctrine of the Resurrection: Apparently, when the first resurrection occurs (aka the resurrection of life), the dead saints of God will ‘hear’ the voice of Jesus Christ (I assume when He shouts from on high at the Rapture). Of course, their souls are with God in the 3rd Heaven…and, I assume that this is when they hear it and then are immediately transported down to earth to inhabit a new body… as God miraculously transforms the old body that has decayed in the grave (or wherever) into a immortal body! The resurrection life comes ultimately from the Father. The resurrection of damnation occurs at the end of the Millenium, where the wicked dead are transported to the Great White Throne for judgment.
The Doctrine of Jesus Christ: Jesus does nothing of His own self (of His own will); all that He does is in accordance with the will of the Father.
31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. 32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. 33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
The Doctrine of John the Baptist: John’s main purpose was to bear witness unto the truth about Jesus Christ. When John came on the scene, those in Judaea were all excited and mused whether he were Elijah, or even the Messiah. Jesus’ witness of the truth was greater than John’s.
The Doctrine of Jesus Christ: There is a 4-fold witness of Jesus as the Messiah – 1. The Father; 2. John the Baptist;
3. The works of Jesus; 4. The Scriptures.
37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41 I receive not honour from men. 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
The Doctrine of God the Father: The Father, apparently, did not speak in the O.T. to the Jews (well, at least not to these Jewish religious leaders of Jesus’ time). He did speak on 2 occasions in the N.T. (Mt 3:17 [Jesus’ baptism], 17:5 [at the Mt. of Transfiguration]). Some say that Moses did indeed see the Father’s shape; but, that might have been Jesus. If any man sees God, He will die (I assume that this is referring to seeing His face).
The Doctrine of the Word of God: The Bible, the scriptures, have the truth about eternal life. And, it states that this eternal life is found solely in Jesus Christ. But, the Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah. If they would just simply search the scriptures, they would clearly see that Jesus was, and is, indeed the Messiah! Moses spoke of Jesus –
Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Gen 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Gen 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
Deut 18:15 The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;