John 5:1-9 Miracles can happen even when faith is lacking
John 5:1-9 Miracles can happen even when faith is lacking
After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get 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.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. John 5:1-9
Background
Jesus went up to Jerusalem to attend a Jewish feast. He came into a part of the temple called the sheep gate. The sheep gate is at the north of the temple where sheep were washed before being taken in to be sacrificed. This was also a place where the sick would lie in hopes of being healed by the angels. It was here that angels occasionally by divine directives heal some who were sick. It was also here where Jesus worked a miracle on an unlikely candidate who was sick for 38 years.
Observation
Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes.
Jesus, albeit His holy nature did not hesitate to enter a place that was considered as ritually unclean. The sheep gate was a place that the upper class and those wishing to be ritually pure would avoid, but not Jesus. The sheep gate was not a pretty sight, it was a depressing place filled with the sick, the blind and people who were abandoned by society. The Jews believe that it was by reason of their sin that people suffer sicknesses and various misfortunes.
“Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up…”
The man when asked by Jesus if he desire to be healed replied that there was no one to help put him into the pool. That question may seemed strange, but it was possible that after 38 years in his condition, he lost all hope of getting healed. The man’s reply to Jesus’s question indicated not the lack of will to be healed, but the lack of ability, and opportunity. What was interesting was that Jesus did not attempt to qualify the faith of the sick man… only his willingness to acknowledge his state of abject poverty and deprivation.
“Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.”
Jesus gave the command and immediately, the man was healed. Was faith at work in this man? As the man did not actually know who healed him, it was unlikely his faith was involved here. Instead, it was Jesus’s faith at work, and all Jesus needed was the man’s consent to be prayed over. Without any visible faith on the part of the man, Jesus commanded life to this man’s wasted muscles causing him to pick up his pallet and walk.
Truth
God encourages all men to approach Him for help just as they are.
Darkness did not hinder God from coming near to the man. The greatest miracles can happen in the darkest of places. The Pool of Bethesda was a ritually unclean, a place frequented by the scums of society. Yet Jesus looked to these places desiring to heal those who were accursed, beyond help, and loathed by all. Miracles are getting scarce in huge and opulent churches filled with seemingly righteous and well to do people. But it is at the dilapidated places where I witness the most powerful and creative of miracles. Jesus did not do many miracles in his hometown because their unbelief. For they lacked humility refusing to acknowledge their spiritual poverty (see Matthew 13:58). Anyone who harbours an attitude of humility while acknowledging his own deprivation will be received and blessed by the all-loving God. The sick man of 38 years is a reflection of the human condition and of the church today. We project our own brand of righteousness oblivious to cancer that is festering inside. The apostle said concerning the church,
So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. Revelation 3:16-17
The church must quickly awake from its stupor and dismantle the false appearance of righteousness. God abhors false righteousness, and will deal kindly and gracious with those who come as they are.
We can experience great miracles regardless of our level of understanding and knowledge.
Miracles can be bridges to greater faith and understand. The man who received the miracle had no faith. He was later seen consorting with the Jews against Jews (see John 5:15). But Jesus had intended for the miracle to draw him towards repentance (see John 5:14). This man was sick for 38 years and no amount of persuasion except a miracle can cause him to put his faith in God. When you are at the lowest point of your life, and have exhausted your faith, God is still there to perform a miracle. Even when you could not sense His presence, God is sending someone into your life to lift you up. Therefore, do not lose hope! For God has not given up hope on you.
Regardless of your level of faith, your declaration in Jesus’s name will bring a miracle.
The declaration of God’s word brings healing and blessings. Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions.” Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you, they are Spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63). When Jesus spoke the word, the man got healed immediately. Jesus gave authority to those who believe Him, who obey His commandments. Jesus said,
These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17-18
If you have decided to give your life to serve God and to do His will, you can receive Christ’s authority to work miracles. When we speak the words of healing and encouragement by the authority of Jesus, those who receive it in humility will be blessed. Our proclamation of God’s promises is faith in action. It is important what we say in response to the problems of life. Our words could bring hope and breakthroughs or it could bring hopelessness and destruction.
Application
1. Persistently act by your faith, and you will succeed in due time.
You could be one who has suffered much for many years and has exhausted all means, and you are thinking of give up on your faith. God is asking you today, “Do you want a breakthrough in your situation?” As seen in Jesus’s first question, the human will and the desire for breakthrough is the first condition for a miracle. Listen to the voice in your heart, “Pick up your bed and walk!” Jesus is strengthening you with His Spirit today to face the challenges. Learn to trust and walk by the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.
2. Do not discriminate against the most hardened of sinners, for God will work a miracle in his life. As long as you do your part to pray, God will do His part and work a miracle. Do not be discouraged if he should reject you, for the battle belongs to the Lord. You could declare this way, “In Jesus’s name. I command blindness be removed from him so that he could see the way that he should go. I command oppression to be lifted from him and let God’s peace and hope fill him.”
Dear Lord, use me to lift up the faith of those who has none. Give me the gifts of working miracles so that they may experience you. Teach me to sense Your Spirit and follow Your guidance. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.