Often times when we see a disabled person our hearts are filled with empathy and pity. However, if we are honest with ourselves, we are all disabled. We all have certain limitations. In John 5 we read of a man who was disabled for 38 years. However, Jesus comes and everything changes. In the historical account of Jesus healing the disabled man we see several things as it comes the healing of our own disabilities.
The Desire. Notice what the scripture says in verses 5-7: “Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, Do you want to be made well? 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.”[1] The response of the disabled man indicates that he did indeed have the desire to be healed. After all, why would he even be there if he did not want to be healed? His presence at the pool of Bethesda confirmed his desire to be healed. In addition to our personal physical and emotional disabilities, we all have the sickness of sin. Every person ever born has a sin nature inherited from their parents, for sin is passed down through the seed of man. Sin separates us from God and from all that is good. It is like a cancer that grows and grows until we are consumed by it and ultimately brings death. Eternal separation from God is the consequence of sin. However, there is a way provided by God that we may be healed from this sickness of sin. Just like any issue in our lives, in order to be helped, we must admit we are in need of help. To be forgiven and saved from the penalty of sin, we must have a desire to be saved. It has been said that one cannot be saved until he or she realizes they are lost. One must see their need. Do you have the desire to be saved? Do you have the desire to be healed from the sickness of sin?
The Limitation. We see the man’s response to Jesus in verse 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.”[2] There is a lot of interesting discussion that can be made concerning this pool of Bethesda. There are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding this passage. Our purpose here is not to focus on what this pool was or how it worked. Rather, our focus is on the spiritual application of the text. The man laying at the pool had been waiting a long time. Day in and day out for many years he sat by the pool waiting for the opportunity to be the first one in the water. However, because of his disability he could never get into the pool quick enough. He was limited. You and I also have limitations due to our sin problem. We cannot save ourselves. There is nothing we can do. In response to a holy God, we can never be good enough to get to Heaven. We can never measure up to the holiness of God.
The Answer. The answer for this disabled man was obvious. The answer was Jesus. Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”[3] The solution to our sin problem is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He went to the cross and suffered and died in order to pay the price for our sin. He did for us what we could never do for ourselves. He shed His own blood so that we may be forgiven and reconciled to God. No matter how you look at it, the answer is always Jesus. Without Jesus there is no hope. Without Jesus there is no forgiveness. Without Jesus there is no salvation. Without Jesus there is no life. Without Jesus there is no future. Jesus is the answer. Jesus is the answer for your marriage. Jesus is the answer for your rebellious children. Jesus is the answer for your troubled life. Jesus is the answer for your confusion. Jesus is the answer for your anxiety. Jesus is the answer for your worry and fear. Jesus is the answer for your sin problem. Jesus is the only way. Jesus is your only hope. Jesus is the answer!
The Result. Because of Jesus, the disabled man was healed. Verse 9 says, “And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.”[4] Notice how quickly the man was healed. It was immediately. All Jesus had to do was say the word and everything changed. Jesus changes everything. This man’s life would never be the same again. When you believe on the Lord Jesus everything changes. He transforms your life. You become a new creation in Christ. He gives you a fresh start. He gives you a new beginning. He gives you something to live for. Jesus changes everything!
The Admonishment. In verse 14 the scripture says: “Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”[5] A lot of speculation can be made by what Jesus meant by a worse thing coming upon him. I believe the simplest understanding is that sin bears consequences. Even for the believer. Your sin will find you out. Therefore, Jesus encourages the man to grow in his faith. He tells him to go and sin no more. He tells him to avoid those things that will bring negative consequences in his life. When we put our faith in the Lord Jesus, we are admonished to grow in Him. We are encouraged to read the Word daily and to take the necessary steps toward spiritual maturity. We are also called to go and sin no more. We are called to a life of holiness. Since we have been saved from sin, then why should we continue to live in sin? As we put our faith in the Lord Jesus, we are called to a faith journey. A journey of growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The Persecution. Verse 16 says, “For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath.”[6] Once again we are faced with the inevitable. Anytime the Gospel is preached there will be opposition. Satan does not want people to be saved. He will do everything he can, including using people within the church, to keep the lost from coming to faith in Christ. As the scripture says, “All those who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” We may not be persecuted like many Christians around the world are persecuted. However, as we strive to serve the Lord and live in holiness, there will be opposition that will rise up against us.
The truth of the matter is that we are all disabled by sin. We are all in need of a Savior. We cannot save ourselves. Therefore, Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves on the cross of Calvary. The answer to our sin problem is Jesus. When we put our faith in Him, our sins are forgiven and we are then called to a life of holiness. Such a life will invite opposition and persecution, however, we must be committed to living for the Lord for in the end it will be worth it all.
[1] The New King James Version (Jn 5:5–7). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[2] The New King James Version (Jn 5:7). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[3] The New King James Version (Jn 5:8). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[4] The New King James Version (Jn 5:9). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[5] The New King James Version (Jn 5:14). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[6] The New King James Version (Jn 5:16). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
Pastor Chris Noland 