John 5: The Message

Introduction

John 5 is a chapter in the Gospel of John that contains a powerful message for Christians. In this chapter, Jesus heals a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. However, the healing of the man was not the main focus of the chapter. Instead, John used this event to convey a message about who Jesus is and what he came to do.

The Pool of Bethesda

The story begins with Jesus visiting the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. This was a place where people with various illnesses would gather in the hope of being healed. According to the tradition, an angel would come down and stir up the waters of the pool, and the first person to enter the water would be healed.

The Invalid Man

Among the people at the pool was a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. When Jesus saw him lying there, he asked him if he wanted to be healed. The man replied that he had no one to help him into the water when it was stirred up, and so he could never be healed.

The Healing

Jesus then said to the man, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.” Immediately, the man was healed, and he picked up his mat and walked away. This miraculous healing caused a stir among the people at the pool, and they began to question who had done this.

The Message

It is at this point that John’s message comes through. Jesus had healed the man on the Sabbath, which was a violation of Jewish law. When the Jewish leaders confronted him about this, Jesus said, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” This statement caused the Jewish leaders to become even more angry and to seek to kill him.

Jesus’ Authority

Through this story, John is conveying a message about Jesus’ authority. By healing the man on the Sabbath, Jesus was showing that he had power over the law. He was also declaring himself to be equal with God, as he referred to God as his Father. This would have been a radical claim for a Jewish person to make, as it went against the strict monotheism of Judaism.

The Purpose of Jesus’ Ministry

Furthermore, John’s message is not just about Jesus’ authority, but also about the purpose of his ministry. Jesus came to bring healing and wholeness to people’s lives, but he also came to challenge the religious and political authorities of his time. By healing on the Sabbath, he was challenging the legalism and rigidity of the Jewish leaders, and calling them to a deeper understanding of God’s love and mercy.

Application for Today

So what does all of this mean for Christians today? First of all, it reminds us of the incredible power and authority of Jesus. He is not just a good teacher or a moral example, but he is the Son of God who has power over all things. Secondly, it reminds us of the purpose of Jesus’ ministry. He came to bring healing and wholeness to our lives, but he also came to challenge the systems of injustice and oppression that exist in our world.

Living Out Jesus’ Message

As followers of Jesus, we are called to live out his message of love and justice in our own lives. We are called to be healers and peacemakers in a world that is often broken and divided. We are called to stand up against injustice and to work for a world where all people are treated with dignity and respect.

Trusting in Jesus’ Authority

Finally, John’s message reminds us that we can trust in Jesus’ authority. Even when the world seems chaotic and uncertain, we can find hope and security in the knowledge that Jesus is in control. We can trust in his love and grace, knowing that he has power over all things and that he is always working for our good.

Conclusion

John 5 is a powerful chapter in the Gospel of John, containing a message that is just as relevant today as it was in Jesus’ time. Through the story of the healing at the Pool of Bethesda, John is conveying a message about Jesus’ authority and the purpose of his ministry. As Christians, we are called to live out this message in our own lives, trusting in Jesus’ authority and working for a world that reflects his love and justice.