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Study No.21 : Healing at the Pool : John 5:1-9

 

A. Find Out:    

       

1. Who were the people round the pool? v.3

2. What were they waiting for? v.4

3. How long had this man been sick? v.5

4. What did Jesus ask the man? v.6

5. What was the man's answer? v.7

6. How did Jesus heal him? v.8,9

 

B. Think :

1. What were all these sick people relying upon?

2. What did this sick man's reply to Jesus indicate about his hope for the

     future?

3. What does the nature of this man's sickness teach us about Jesus?

   

C. Comment :

   

  This passage is packed with points for meditation:

  

      First, the invalids rely upon a superstitious event rather than upon God. People will rather be superstitious than be godly.

  

     Second, they are all out for themselves. There is no orderly helping one after another in a queue effect. Sinful man is always out for himself first.

  

     Third, Jesus chooses a lifelong invalid. No one is impossible for Jesus.

  

     Fourth, Jesus challenges the man as to his genuine desire. Acceptance of a bad situation often robs us of any faith or hope.

  

     Fifth, the man has a combination of hopelessness and desire. He does at least try to get healed but can never make it because he has no help. He has a sufficient glimmer of desire for Jesus to move.

  

    Sixth, it didn't take any great counselling or anything else from Jesus, just a word of authority.

  

    Seventh, when God commands us to do something He always gives us the enabling to do it at the same time. As soon as we move to respond He enables us to do the thing in question.

    

D. Application?

 

1. There is no situation too difficult for Jesus.

2. In the light of that truth, continue to pray for change.

  

Study No.22 : Sabbath Conflict : John 5:9-16

A. Find Out:

          

1. What apparently was the man doing wrong? v.10

2. What excuse did he give? v.11

3. What question did they ask of him? v.12

4. Why wasn't he able to give an answer? v.13

5. What instruction did Jesus give him? v.14

6. What did the man then do? v.15

 

B. Think :

 

1. What strikes you about the Jews from this passage?

2. What things do we learn about the healed man?

3. What do we learn about Jesus here?

   

C. Comment :

 

      It is in Jerusalem, the heart of Judaism, that this happens and we have an illustration of the obtuse hardness of men's hearts. A man is spotted carrying his bed.

     In the eyes of the legalistic Jews of Jerusalem this is work and it is forbidden to do any work on the Sabbath day (Exodus 20:8)! The fact that God gave that command to bless and protect mankind completely evaded these Jews and they spent more of their time working out human application of it than realising the real purpose for which God gave it. Consequently when they see this man with his mat, they care nothing about the wonder that he has just been healed by God from a lifelong invalidity, but simply focus their hard heartedness on foolish and petty law keeping.

     Jesus meanwhile has slipped off-stage, perhaps because he saw them coming and didn't want the conflict yet. Later in his care for the man he finds him and brings guidance for the future. There is obviously sin in this man's life which is linked to his sickness. If he continues to sin the sickness or worse will return. This is one of the few occasions when we are allowed to see Jesus' counsel that goes with the healing.

  

D. Application?

  

1. It is easy to focus on petty "religious issues" and miss the whole wonder

    of  what Jesus is doing.

2. Sickness can be linked to sin. Healing may be given but, without

    repentance, sickness may return.

Study No.23 : Father & Son : John 5:17-23

A. Find Out:

        

1. When was Jesus' Father at work? v.17

2. Why did the Jews try to kill Jesus? v.18

3. What did he say the Son can only do? v.19

4. What does the father do? v.20a

5. What does Father and Son do? v.21

6. What has Father entrusted to the Son? v.22

     

B. Think :

 

1. What things do we learn from Jesus about his Father's work?

2. How was Jesus saying he was limited in what he did?

3. What claim is Jesus clearly making here?

    

C. Comment :

 

      This is an exciting and challenging passage!

      First of all let's note what Jesus said about his Father's work: Father is ALWAYS working, or always active and on the move. This means we don't have to push God to move but to come in line with what He IS already doing. We need to learn to see what God IS doing around us.

      Second, let's note what Jesus tells us about his own activity: he only does what His Father is doing, he joins in with what his father is doing. Because throughout the Gospels we see Jesus constantly healing and ministering to people, we can see that GOD is constantly wanting to move in people's lives and bring healing and freedom. He hasn't changed and He is still moving!

     The main activity of God and His Son Jesus is clearly to bring new life to people who are spiritually dead. He does this today to all those who honour the Son by believing in Him, because as they do this they honour God the Father also. Those who thus receive His new life go on (or are supposed to) to do the work of Jesus, that which God the Father initiates. The Father is thus looking for those who will respond to His call and follow in the ministry of Jesus.

   

D. Application?

 

1. We need to learn to look and discern what God the Father is doing on His

     earth today.

2. We need to learn to discern His heart and mind, to be available to Him to

     do His works.

  

Study No.24 : Death & Life : John 5:24-30

A. Find Out:

        

1. What twofold thing is necessary for life? v.24

2. When will the dead hear? v.25

3. What authority has the Father granted? v.27

4. Who also will hear his voice? v.28

5. What two things will happen? v.29

6. On what basis does Jesus judge? v.30

    

B. Think :

 

1. Jesus obviously talks about two sorts of death. What are they?

2. How does he speak about past and future resurrection from the dead?

3. How is the Father and Son relationship shown here?

   

C. Comment :

       People who are physically alive can pass from death to life according to Jesus. The death and life referred to must, therefore, be spiritual. The transfer takes place when people HEAR Jesus' word and BELIEVE God. When that happens He imparts spiritual life and the person comes alive in a spiritual dimension.

     We must always remember, therefore, that the non-Christian is spiritually dead and cannot understand spiritual things until God makes them alive. Then Jesus also speaks about another coming-to-life from the dead, a physical resurrection.

       The purpose of this will be for people to receive what they deserve. Some will rise to live and some will rise to be condemned. But what is the purpose behind all that? Why should God ordain this to happen? May we suggest the following: the Lord wants there to be a time when EVERYONE consciously knows the truth and KNOWS that what is happening is just.

      We are treading on unclear ground here but a future resurrection is a clear expectation of Scripture. The fruits of it are determined by how a person responds to God and the good news of Jesus, and carries on responding, today!

   

D. Application?

  

1. Natural man without God, is spiritually dead and needs the Lord to be

    brought alive.

2. A time will be coming when there will be a separating of the good and the

     bad, for eternity.

Study No.25 : Testimony to Jesus : John 5:31-40

A. Find Out:

           

1. What is this passage all about? v.31,32

2. Who was the first witness Jesus mentioned? v.33-35

3. What is the second testimony he mentions? v.36

4. Who brought the third testimony? v.37

5. What is the fourth area of testimony? v.39

6. Yet what was their response? v.38,40

    

B. Think :

 

1. What is a testimony?

2. Who or what are the persons or things in this passage that testify to

     Jesus?

3. What should be the response to such a wide range of strong evidence?

    

C. Comment :

 

      In this passage Jesus speaks clearly about the evidence that points to who he actually is. He could simply tell them who he is but personal testimony, he says, is not really valid. You need to rely upon other witnesses, and so he points them out.

      First he reminds them of the testimony of John the Baptist, who they had accepted for a while. John is a human figure but they may accept what he had said about Jesus. However there are better witnesses.

      So, he says, second, there are the very things I am doing, the things God the Father has given me to do. If these don't show who I am, what does?

      Well, third, the Father has Himself testified to Jesus publicly, at Jesus' baptism, but of course most of them weren't there.

       The fourth witness is the Scriptures themselves, that speak and speak and speak about the One who is to come. However, despite all these witnesses, it is still possible to not believe. However, Jesus hints, it is more of a case of you "refusing" to believe, i.e. it is an act of will whereby you refuse to accept because if you do believe, it means your life, attitudes and outlook will have to change as well (that is the implication!).

    

D. Application?

  

1. Believing - or unbelieving - is an act of will!

2. The evidence is quite adequate - for anyone!

Study No.26 : Poor Reception : John 5:41-47

A. Find Out:

        

1. What doesn't Jesus do? v.41

2. But what did he know? v.42

3. What was incongruous about their behaviour? v.43

4. What ought they to have been doing? v.44

5. Who is their accuser? v.45

6. Why? v.46,47

    

B. Think :

 

1. What two reasons are given why they should believe in Jesus?

2. What were the Jews doing instead?

3. Why do people not believe today?

    

C. Comment :

  

      Jesus continues speaking about believing in him. Look, he says, I'm not out to get praise from you but you ought to be believing in me. I've come from the Father and if you were godly you would recognise that and respond to me. Instead it is quite clear to me that you do not love God and you do not believe I am who I am. Then Jesus shows them how foolish their position is.

      Look, he says, you accept human leaders and you praise them but when one who is so much greater comes you refuse to acknowledge him. Then he goes on, look, don't think I'm accusing you, you're already being accused by Moses. He wrote about me (see Genesis 3:15, 22:18, 49:10, Numbers 24:17, Deuteronomy 18:15-18) and you have been looking for the one of whom he wrote but now refuse to see that I am that one.

      In this passage Jesus clearly EXPECTS them to believe and SCOLDS them for not believing. Their excuse might have been, well we want to be sure, we don't want to acclaim an impostor, it's not very clear, but obviously any such excuse is not acceptable to Jesus. God was looking for and expecting childlike simple faith that sought Him and accepted Jesus as coming from Him.

     

D. Application?

  

1. Are we too intellectual in our approach to God, or will be respond with

    simple faith to what He shows us of Himself?

2. Eyes of faith receive God's blessing.

   

RECAP No.4  "Father & Son"  John 5

SUMMARY :  

      

In these 6 studies we have seen:

 

- the miraculous healing of the man at the pool

- the hard hearted Jews who were more concerned with Sabbath-keeping

   than this wonderful healing

- Jesus

- speaking about his relationship with his Father

- revealing He is the source of life for believers

- speaking of the witnesses to him i.e. John the Baptist, his own

   works, His Father in heaven, the Scriptures

- challenging the Jews over their unbelief

  

 

COMMENT :

 

      Jesus heals and shows he is more than just a mere healer. He declares he is the Son of THE Father in heaven. He declares he is the source of life for all who will believe. He claims testimony to these things from a number of sources. He expects belief! This chapter leaves no room for saying this man is a mere prophet, a mere healer. This is the Son of God!

    

 

LESSONS :

 

1. No situation is too difficult for Jesus.

2. Legalism blinds us to the wonder of the activities of the Christ.

3. God is moving constantly on His earth.

4. Real life only comes through Jesus.

5. The evidence is adequate, belief must follow.

6. Faith flows in simplicity, not intellectualism.

   

 

PRAY :

 

      Praise the Lord for the wonder of who He is and what He has done.

 

PART 5 : "The Bread of Life"

  

      In this last Part watch how the writer John gathers together the theme of Jesus as the Bread of Life. First will come the miraculous feeding, then comes Jesus' teaching on the need for spiritual food that brings life, then comes his claim to be that food, then comes the reaction to his words.