2016.09.25 John
5: 1-18
The Compassion of Jesus
This morning we will be studying the first 18 verses of John 5…
In this passage… John is again showing us Jesus…. He
wants us to see Him…. He wants us to
hear His Words of Life…. He wants us to know and believe that He is the
Christ…. The Savoir… So that in repenting and believing in Jesus…. We will
receive that Living water that He freely offers…. Because when we do…. We find
life…. Eternal Life in Him…. That is why John wrote this Gospel… It the goal of
all scripture… Our text for today is amazing in what it shows us about Jesus… The world is full of sin and sickness and
death… And in spite of Jesus’ power to heal… our world continues to be filled
with unbelievable pain and suffering… Look with me at the first section… John
ch5… v1-5…1–5,
John
5: 1-5 NKJV slt 2000
5
After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now
there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew,
Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people,
blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel
went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then
whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of
whatever disease he had. 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity
thirty-eight years.
John 5: 1-5 slt 2000
1 Danach war ein Fest der Juden, und Jesus zog hinauf
nach Jerusalem. 2 Es ist aber in Jerusalem beim Schaftor ein Teich, der auf
hebräisch Bethesda heißt und der fünf Säulenhallen hat. 3 In diesen lag eine
große Menge von Kranken, Blinden, Lahmen und Abgezehrten, welche auf die
Bewegung des Wassers warteten. 4 Denn ein Engel stieg zu gewissen Zeiten in den
Teich hinab und bewegte das Wasser. Wer nun nach der Bewegung des Wassers
zuerst hineinstieg, der wurde gesund, mit welcher Krankheit er auch geplagt
war. 5 Es war aber ein Mensch dort, der 38 Jahre in der Krankheit zugebracht
hatte.
Jesus is in Jerusalem again… He is there to celebrate one
of the Feasts…
Jesus
goes to the Pool of Bethesda…. This is where people with
diseases and disabilities wait for the troubling of the waters… because
healings happen in this pool… Jesus walks in among this huge crowd of suffering
and desperate people…
v3… In
these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed… There is desperate need in
this place… And Jesus moves to the
need… But just like the woman at the well… Jesus is going to a specific person
in this place…
v4…
For an angel went down at a certain time… This was a popular
belief…. They ascribed the Angels as servants or Messengers of God who had the
power to do miracles… It was a mix of Jewish and Greek religious practices…. Many
thought this…
Let´s look at the next section… v 6–9… Here the focus is on Jesus as He
continues to reveal Himself to Israel… John ch5… v6-9…
John
5: 6-9
NKJV slt 2000
6
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?” 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.” 8
Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man
was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.
John 5: 6-9 NKJV slt 2000
6 Als Jesus diesen daliegen sah und erfuhr, daß er schon
so lange Zeit [in diesem Zustand] war, spricht er zu ihm: Willst du gesund
werden? 7 Der Kranke antwortete ihm: Herr, ich habe keinen Menschen, der mich
in den Teich bringt, wenn das Wasser bewegt wird; während ich aber selbst gehe,
steigt ein anderer vor mir hinab. 8 Jesus spricht zu ihm: Steh auf, nimm deine
Liegematte und geh umher! 9 Und sogleich wurde der Mensch gesund, hob seine
Liegematte auf und ging umher. Es
war aber Sabbat an jenem Tag.
John tells us that he wrote this Gospel so that we would
believe… and in Believing find salvation through Him… John 20: 31… He said that
Jesus did many miracles and many healings… John focuses on three… This is the
first of them here in ch5… In ch 9 Jesus will heal a man born blind…. That had
never happened before… In ch 11 Jesus will raise Lazarus from the dead… This
man has been very sick for 38 years… As we come into this scene… John is
showing us Jesus… 1 His Supernatural knowledge…v6…
2 his compassion… and 3 his power…
Let´s
look at these… First, his Divine Supernatural knowledge…
v6a…When
Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition
a long time… Jesus knew this man’s situation… Just like
us…. Jesus knows us completely… Perfectly… He knows what you and I go through
day by day… He knows everything that we have ever felt or thought or done… He
sees our past and he knows our future too… Look with me at Hebrews 4:12…
Hebrews
4:12 NLT Neues Leben
12
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest
two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It
exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
12 Das Wort Gottes ist lebendig und wirksam. Es ist
schärfer als das schärfste Schwert und durchdringt unsere innersten Gedanken
und Wünsche. Es deckt auf, wer wir wirklich sind, und macht unser Herz vor Gott
offenbar.
12…
Exposes our innermost thoughts and desires… Jesus knows he has been disabled for Thirty-eight
years… He knows the sin and guilt that this man has been experiencing all of
these years…. You see the culture says that this man is a terrible sinner…. His
physical condition is to them proof of great sin… He of course knows that he is
a sinner and he is certainly ashamed of it…. That shame has it´s own deep
suffering… Can you imagine this… We are talking about a man who has been suffering for 38 years now… I am sure
that he was feeling hopeless…
Believing that he would ever be healed… Let´s look at the second thing that we
learn from this scene about Jesus… His deep Compassion… Think about this… Jesus is moved to show mercy
and compassion to this man… Even though He sees deep into His faithless and sin filled heart…
Jesus chooses to go to this pool on this day… He was going to this pool the same way he went
to Samaria to find the woman at the well… and the same way he went to
sign-seeking… prophet-dishonoring Galilee to the dying son of a Royal official…
Do you remember what Jesus read in the synagogue the day He began His earthly
Ministry?… That day they rejected Him as
Messiah… In fact they tried to kill Him…. He read from Isaiah ch 61… look
at it with me…
Isaiah
61: 1-3
NLT Neues Leben 1The Spirit of
the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news
to the poor.He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that
captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. 2 He has sent me to tell
those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the
day of God’s anger against their enemies. 3To all who mourn in Israel, he will
give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive
praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
Isaiah 61: 1-3 NLT Neues Leben
1 Der Geist Gottes, des Herrn, ruht auf mir, denn der
Herr hat mich gesalbt, um den Armen eine gute Botschaft zu verkünden. Er hat mich
gesandt, um die zu heilen, die ein gebrochenes Herz haben und zu verkündigen,
dass die Gefangenen freigelassen und die Gefesselten befreit werden. 2 Er
hat mich gesandt, um ein Gnadenjahr des Herrn und einen Tag der Rache unseres
Gottes auszurufen und alle Trauernden zu trösten. 3 Er
hat mich gesandt, um es den Trauernden zu ermöglichen, dass ihnen ein
Kopfschmuck anstelle von Asche, Freudenöl anstelle von Trauerkleidern, und
Lobgesang anstelle eines betrübten Geistes gegeben werde; und dass man sie »Eichen
der Gerechtigkeit« und »Pflanzung zur Verherrlichung des Herrn« nennen kann.
This is why Jesus came…. He came to heal and restore lost
and broken lives… This man certainly is in this category… He is in deep sorrow
and mourning… He needs a miracle… Look at v3a…
v3a… To all who
mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing
instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair… His Mission is
clear… Jesus moves toward needs… He has
come to seek and to save the lost… They… We receive His mercy and grace… not
the self-righteous and legalistic… They think that they do not need a Savior… Jesus is doing exactly what He came to
do… Proclaim the Good News… By the
way… He expects us to do the same… look at the last part of v3b…
v3b…
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted
for his own glory….
Here we see the
ultimate goal of the Good News….
Salvation that produces joy and praise… and finally… Righteousness… And it is all for
His Glory… Back to John ch5…v6…
John
5: 6-9
NKJV slt 2000
6
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?” 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.” 8
Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man
was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.
John 5: 6-9 NKJV slt 2000
6 Als Jesus diesen daliegen sah und erfuhr, daß er schon
so lange Zeit [in diesem Zustand] war, spricht er zu ihm: Willst du gesund
werden? 7 Der Kranke antwortete ihm: Herr, ich habe keinen Menschen, der mich
in den Teich bringt, wenn das Wasser bewegt wird; während ich aber selbst gehe,
steigt ein anderer vor mir hinab. 8 Jesus spricht zu ihm: Steh auf, nimm deine
Liegematte und geh umher! 9 Und sogleich wurde der Mensch gesund, hob seine
Liegematte auf und ging umher. Es
war aber Sabbat an jenem Tag.
v6… Do
you want to be made well?
Notice that the man did not say yes… Instead in verse 7
he explains his problem… I am not fast enough to be first in the water… Jesus does
not ask any more questions… Jesus simply acts…. V8…
v8…“Get
up, take up your bed, and walk.”
Jesus healed him simply because his situation was so desperate…
This healing came from Jesus’ compassion… It had nothing at all to do with the
man’s faith or righteousness…
Over and over again we see Jesus moved with compassion
for the lost and the sick and dying… Jesus was moved with compassion or pity…
So not only does Jesus know us perfectly… but he is easily moved by the misery we
feel…
v8,9a…“Jesus
said to him, ‘Get up, take up your bed, and walk.’ And at once the man was
healed, and he took up his bed and walked.” The words “at once” In
an instant… When Jesus speaks… broken bodies are healed… The blind see… And
hopeless sinners are forgiven…
John’s goal is that we see the Supernatural knowledge…
the Divine compassion… and the sovereign power of Jesus... We learn all of
these things from His Word… This is how you get to know Jesus... This is how
you build a relationship with Jesus… You meet him here in his word… The great
King David said… Thy Word have I hid in my heart.... Why? Not only to know
Him.... But to not sin.... Thy Word have
I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Him… Psalm 119… v11… I would
recommend that you read Ps 119… v9-16….
As a great place for your personal Bible Study… Let´s look at verse 9…
v9b…
And that day was the Sabbath...
Jesus knows what he has done… He healed a man on the
Sabbath… Jesus told him to carry his bed as a sign and celebration that he is
whole...
He
knows this will create conflict… Jesus
is not only showing mercy and compassion to this man…. But by healing him on
the Sabbath… He is showing mercy and compassion on His
enemies… He is going to confront them over and over for their sin and pride
and hypocrisy… They are going to go Ballistic
about this healing… Exactly because it occurred on the Sabbath… look at the
next section v10-13…
John
5: 10-13 NKJV slt2000
10
The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful
for you to carry your bed.”11 He answered them, “He who made me well said to me,
‘Take up your bed and walk.’”12 Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said
to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 But the one who was healed did not
know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place.
John 5: 10-13 NKJV slt2000
10 Nun sprachen die Juden zu dem Geheilten: Es ist Sabbat;
es ist dir nicht erlaubt, die Liegematte zu tragen! 11 Er antwortete ihnen: Der
mich gesund machte, der sprach zu mir: Nimm deine Liegematte und geh umher! 12
Da fragten sie ihn: Wer ist der Mensch, der zu dir gesagt hat: Nimm deine
Liegematte und geh umher? 13 Aber der Geheilte wußte nicht, wer es war, denn
Jesus war weggegangen, weil so viel Volk an dem Ort war.
Look at this… Jesus healed the man in an instant… then He
disappeared before the man could find out who he was… The man didn’t even know
who healed him…
What was the goal here… Just a random act of mercy… No…
This is about much more than just a miracle for a stranger… He wants this man´s
total transformation… It is Living water that He will offer him… look at the
next verse…. V14…
John
5: 14 NKJV slt 2000
14
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.”
14 Danach findet ihn Jesus im Tempel und spricht zu ihm:
Siehe, du bist gesund geworden; sündige hinfort nicht mehr, damit dir nicht
etwas Schlimmeres widerfährt!
Jesus had no intention of walking away from this man and
leaving him with nothing more than a healed body…
Notice two things… At the end of verse 13, the reason Jesus
walked away from the man was that there was a crowd there… “Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place.” The place
was filled with sick people… If Jesus had stayed there after healing one man….
I can imagine a stampede of the sick and lame rushing toward Jesus for their
healings too… They would have all been
demanding their miracles too… He did not
come there to heal them all… If that was His goal… He would have done it… He
certainly had the power to heal everyone of them Instantly…. Why didn´t
He?...There were times when He healed everyone who came to Him… Luke 6…v19…
Yes
Jesus heals…. Yes He still heals today… But Healing for everyone in this life is
not the Sovereign plan of God… If it was… it would have
happened…. Think about this man…. He did not even know who healed Him…. He
certainly was not exercising faith for Healing… It had nothing to do with this
man at all… Jesus was moved with compassion and He healed Him… Mere Physical healing is far short of the
Awesome plan of God… Remember from Isaiah 61…. The goal is righteousness….
Salvation and transformation… and the Glory of God… We are still in John
ch5… Look at verse 14....
Jesus seeks out the man in the temple…
v14…
“Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, ‘See, you are well!
Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.’
What’s the goal? Mercy and forgivenss for sins… In the NLT…. Jesus says stop sinning! The
goal and purpose of God is holiness…
Definitely not mere health…. That man got sick and died one day… But Because Jesus had transformed Him Body
and Spirit…. We will get to meet him one day… I want to hear him tell all
about his life after that miraculous day of healing… Jesus is saying… I have
healed you to make you holy.” So now… Stop
sinning… I have given you a gift… You
didn’t earn it… Now it is time to show your gratitude by the way you live… I have freed you from the power of sin and
death… Now, live in this power… Let this
gift of healing… this gift of grace… Lead you in paths of righteousness… Psalm
23… v3… we all know that verse don´t we… look at it with me for a minute…
Psalm
23: 3 NKJV slt 2000
3 He
restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
3 Er erquickt meine Seele; er führt mich auf rechter Straße
um seines Namens willen.
He leads Me in paths of righteousness… Jesus is saying to
this man and to us… I have healed you… Now follow me… Walk in righteousness…
For my Sake… That means for my Glory…
Think about this…. Jesus healed only one man… He leaves
hundreds of invalids behind unhealed... Then he finds the man… and Jesus
puts all the focus on Discipleship…. The goal of this man’s healing is much
more than a body that now functions normally… The true healing is in his transformation… New life…. Living water…
Jesus is calling him to live a Godly Life… Remember v14… stop sinning… Remember Jesus only healed one man…
Until Jesus comes again… Healing Is the Exception… Not
the Rule… Most people who suffer from disabilities in this life will have them
to the day they die… And until Jesus comes again… We will all die of something…
Yes Jesus still heals… It is right for us to ask the Lord to heal us.. And some
are healed… We believe in miracles still today… But even though Jesus had the
power to heal them all… He healed only one… He did not usher in the final day
of perfect health... His ministry points to that day… That glorious day when He
wipes away all tears forever… That
Glorious day when He will forever banish all of the consequences of the Fall…
He will restore Paradise lost… But not yet… Not until He returns with power and
great Glory…
The Goal of redemption until Jesus comes back is that we
meet him… That we repent of our sin and pride and rebellion… Then we receive
the transforming power of His Mercy and
Chesed…Ezekiel 36… Because of His unfailing love… He gives us a new heart
and He puts His Spirit in us… and we will obey Him… We will be transformed into
His image day
by day…
Do you remember that I said that Jesus was starting a
conflict with the Jewish leaders by Healing on the Sabbath…. He is shining the light of truth on their
sin and pride and self righteousness… He is inviting them the look at their
own desperate need for inner healing and forgiveness… He tells them That He is the Messiah…. But they hate Him
for telling the truth… But they refuse to repent and instead they decide to
Kill Him…
A
final question for us to think about…
What
does this Miracle Tell Us About Jesus?
1
Jesus is Omnicient… He knows everything
2
Jesus is full of compassion… Chesed
3
Jesus Is All Powerful…
The greatest miracle is the mercy and grace that He pours
out on our lives… He washes our sins away…
John said that he wrote this Gospel so that we would
believe in the Lord Jesus…. And that in Knowing Him…. We would find life in
Him… John 20:31… May the Lord open our
eyes to truly believe in Him… He knows everything about us… And yet… He is
filled with compassion and mercy for us…
He is meeting us at the House of Mercy… Jesus has come offering forgiveness and
mercy to all who cry out to Him… Do you know Him… Today is the day for your
miracle…
Let´s pray….
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