CHAPTER 5

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

"After this" - a reference to the details in Chapter 4, verse 40, where Jesus was in "Cana of Galilee."
There, Jesus had healed a nobleman's son from death, simply by SPEAKING!!

"After this" then, Jesus headed to Jerusalem to participate in "a feast."
I'm inclined to believe, with most, that this was the Feast of the Passover.

Remember, Jesus attended this feast first, because it was commanded of God (See Deuteronomy 16:16).
While He was there, Jesus ministered to those who needed help.
God's ordinances are to be willingly obeyed, and to be used for ministry in His Name.

2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

The pool was named "Bethesda," meaning "house of mercy."
May I take this occasion to say that the "house of God" (church), should certainly be the "house of mercy!"
Too often the church is troubled with:
legalistic people putting strangleholds on others,
power seekers, trying to do things their way instead of God's way,
and, gossipers who seek to destroy the goodness of anyone's life.

Church is where the "blind, halt, withered" are ACCEPTED, LOVED and receive MINISTRY!
Christians are to "stir up the gift of God" that is in them. (See 2Timothy 1:6).
That gift is SALVATION!

Salvation is sinful men met by the mercy of God!
Salvation is to be freely offered to ALL mankind!

Surely, God's church should be the "house of mercy!!"

The pool itself was surrounded by 5 porches, under which many ill people lay. Their hope was to be first in the pool, after the angel "troubled" the waters.

As Christians, we are to "trouble" the waters of the world by bringing the Gospel of Jesus!
We are also to "trouble" the waters of the world by CARING for and MINISTERING to the needy!

The term "impotent" most likely refers to a paralytic state.
The man himself corroborates this with his statement in Verse 7.
He was unable to enter the waters himself, and had no one to help him.

Jesus asked the man if he would like to be made "whole" - healed!
He did NOT ask the man if he were SAVED!
This man didn't even know who Jesus was!! (See verse 13)
Jesus MINISTERED first, and led the man to salvation second!
Take a "cue" Christians!

Jesus astounded both the man and all around Him with the next statement:
"Rise, take up thy bed and walk!"
Then, the people were astounded when the man was ABLE to do what Jesus said!

WITHOUT: "Ma Bell," I-phones, or organized news media, this tidbit of information went around Jerusalem FAST, the old-fashioned way: word of mouth!

One more note: this was done on the "Sabbath" day.
And, this sets the stage for the remainder of the chapter.
The remainder of this chapter is a scathing rebuke of legalistic, power-seeking, gossipers of the church!!
Perhaps it should be read and even preached in churches today?

10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

This whole discussion revolved around a "tradition" and not a law of God!
There is no law in God's Word against carrying a bed on the Sabbath day.
The intent of "keeping the Sabbath" holy, is to worship God. (See Ex. 20:8)
The intent of "no servile work therein" (Lev. 23, Num. 28 & 29) is to keep man from self-distraction.
((One fella was told by his boss, that the company was behind on production, and he was needed Sunday.
The man said, "Ok." He worked that Sunday.
Next week, the boss said, "We're STILL behind."
So the man worked again.
Next week, the boss said, "We're STILL behind."
The man refused to work.
The boss said, "But doesn't your Bible say if the ox falls in the ditch, you should get him out?"
The man said, "Yes. But if the ox KEEPS falling in the ditch, then we must either COVER the ditch, or SELL the ox!"))

The legalists had developed 613 laws, which they had written to "cover" themselves concerning the Law of God.
This "law" was only a TRADITION!
Please note what Jesus said about those "traditions" (See Mark 7:7-9).

14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

Please note that the healed man was "in the temple!"
He who is healed should go and THANK God, for all healing must come through God!

Jesus issued a WARNING: "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."
WHY? Consider the fact that this man had been lame THIRTY-EIGHT years!!
During those years, he had been prevented from sins which he was now able to commit!
Now that he had more ability, he needed to be more careful and watchful!

There is great need for sinners, healed by grace through salvation, to be WATCHFUL!
While we are still in these fleshly bodies, it is easy to "return to folly" ((See Psalm 85:8).

ALSO, "it is common for people, when they are sick, to promise much, when newly recovered to perform something, but after awhile to forget all." (from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)

15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

Now that the man knew WHO had healed him, he was quite willing to make a profession of his faith in Jesus.
He learned Who Jesus was, and BELIEVED Who Jesus was!

THAT is precisely why Jesus was persecuted, and some made intent to "slay" Him:
Because He IS God incarnate,
Because He is the visible image of the invisible God (See Hebrews 1:3),
Because He DOES have power to heal,
Because He DOES have power to forgive sins and offer eternal salvation!

And that is why people want to silence Christ today and try to make Him out as nonexistent:
Because He is a just God, yet MERCIFUL to all who surrender to Him,
And, because He is a merciful God, yet JUST to all who refuse Him!!

17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

The statement, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.." INFURIATED the Jewish leaders at that time.
That statement indicated first, that God the Father, and Jesus were ONE...in perfect unity and harmony.
The Jewish leaders, hearing Jesus, KNEW exactly what He meant.
For John stated they understood (vs 18) Jesus saying, "...God was his Father, making himself equal with God."

The word "hitherto" means until now.
God works ALL the time!
As one ole preacher put it, "God created all things in 6 days, and rested on the Sabbath. Man sinned, and God ain't rested since!"

The Sabbath was made for man (See Mark 2:27).
Because man NEEDS time to rest, and he NEEDS time to worship God our Creator.
So, God instituted the "law of the sabbath" (See Exodus 20:8).

But Jesus is LORD of the Sabbath (See Mark 2:28).
Jesus is the One Who created that "law of the sabbath."
In other words, Jesus is exempt from the "law of the Sabbath" because He is GOD! (See Colossians 2:9)

Now, they had two reasons for wanting Jesus dead:
They considered Him both a "law-breaker" and a "blasphemer."
They considered Him a "sinner!"

But Jesus wasn't through making His case.

19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

ANY man will do what God does NOT do....he will SIN.
But Jesus can only do what God DOES......he CANNOT sin! (See verse 19 above)

The reason is because God the Father is PERFECTLY IN Jesus, and Jesus is PERFECTLY IN God the Father. (See verse 20 above)
They are inseparable, and infinitely joined!

Man's "person" (spirit) is known by his/her bodily representation.
God, Who IS Spirit, is known by His bodily representation - JESUS!
Jesus is the "brightness" of God's glory, and the "express image" of God's person.
And God holds ALL things by the "word of His power"!! (See Hebrews 1:3).

If God can heal the lame, or raise the dead, so can Jesus. (see verse 21 above)

More importantly "ALL judgment" is committed to Jesus!! (See verse 22 above)
When mankind stands before the bar of God for eternal judgment, it will be JESUS Whom we face!

Therefore, "all men should HONOUR the Son!"
The same honor afforded to Almighty God should be given to Jesus!
See Isaiah 9:6.

Jesus is the "living WORD of God" (See John 1:1-3).
In those verses "Word" is derived from the Greek term logos.
Logos means extension; and in this case Divine Expression of God Himself!

Now, those who heard Jesus on that day, knew by the language He used and by His intonation, exactly what He meant.

But Jesus was not yet finished with His presentation.

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Those who HEAR Jesus, and BELIEVE He is come out of God, receive forgiveness, justification and eternal life!
Jesus came to EXPRESS God's love (See Romans 5:8).
God's love is "commended," or shown and demonstrated through Jesus coming into this world to die for sinners.
(See also John 3:16).

Still, Jesus is not through with His presentation to those who would say He is a "law-breaker" and a "blasphemer."

25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

A key word in this passage is "hear."
It means to "give audience to," or to hear with intent to follow.

There are three very important statements made here.
First, verses 25-27 are PRESENT tense.
It is happening even NOW, that the "dead" hear Jesus and LIVE!
For man is "dead in trespasses and sins," but Jesus "quickeneth" them! (See Ephesians 2:1-5)

God IS life; God OWNS life; and, God can GIVE life!
No one knows REAL LIFE until they surrender to Christ as Lord!
For REAL LIFE is in knowing God, and God is revealed in the Person of Jesus Christ.
Knowing Christ as Lord means that we KNOW:
1) we are forgiven of sin,
2) we are sealed in His Holy Spirit,
3) we are headed for eternity WITH God!

Second, verses 28-29 are FUTURE tense.
One day, Jesus Christ will call ALL human beings who have ever lived to stand before Him.
Some will receive the "resurrection of LIFE."
They will receive the blessing of dwelling with God for eternity in that place we call heaven.
This resurrection is for those who HAVE HEARD Him, and lived with intent to please Him as Lord.

Then, others will receive the "resurrection of damnation."
This resurrection is for those who have NOT HEARD, and not intended to live pleasing Jesus.
This resurrection assigns those who have never surrendered to Jesus to a place "which burneth with fire and brimestone" (Rev. 21:8). And, by the way, that place is ETERNAL!!

Third, verse 30 refers to both NOW and the FUTURE.
Jesus is PERFECTLY aligned in the Trinity of God. (See Deuteronomy 6:4)
As such, Jesus never acts without perfect unity with God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, when Jesus makes the "judgment" that a person is genuinely surrendered to Him, and gives salvation to that person, then Jesus is "just" in that judgment.
AND, when Jesus makes final judgment about any persons eternal state, His judgment will also be "just!"

As stated before, the key word is "hear."
Have you HEARD Jesus calling you to salvation?
Are you HEARING Him with intent to surrender and please Him with your life?

31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Jesus even went so far as to comply with the law of God given by Moses in His testimony of Himself.
See Deuteronomy 17:6 and Deuteronomy 19:15.

Jesus mentions John the Baptist, and calls him a "shining light" that was sent from God.
John the Baptist was to prophesy of the coming Messiah.
But, when Jesus came, and John pointed Him out, they refused to believe Messiah could be a MAN!
And, Jesus is not dependent upon a man (John) for a second witness to His Messiahship.

Jesus said they had not "heard" (vs 37 above) the voice of God.
In other words, they had not heard with intent to obey!
Because, when John the Baptist, baptized Jesus, all the people gathered there HEARD the voice of God saying, "This is my beloved SON, in Whom I am well pleased!" (See Matthew 3:16-17.

But Jesus didn't depend upon this.
For, the people had not heard a "voice" from God for over 400 years.

However, GOD Himself witnessed of Jesus being His Messiah, or "anointed One."
For the "works" Jesus did, could have ONLY been done by God!
He healed the blind, lame, deaf, dumb, and even RAISED THE DEAD!!

Also, the SCRIPTURES witnessed of Jesus (a man) being God's "anointed One," or Messiah.
See for instance Genesis 3:15.
For One to "bruise" (overcome) Satan's head, that One must be GOD!
And, that One was prophesied to be the "seed of a woman," or a MAN!

See also, Deuteronomy 18:15.
For One to be THE PROPHET, to whom ALL should "hearken," He MUST be GOD!
Yet He would be raised from among "thy brethren," or a MAN!

See also, Isaiah 9:6.
It had been long understood that this particular prophecy was of MESSIAH.
Yet He would be "The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace!"

But, these folk did not have the "Word of God" abiding in them (vs 38 above).
What they had abiding in them was selfish interest!
I'm afraid there are many so-called Christians today who are in the same boat, so-to-speak!

Finally, Jesus said, "SEARCH the SCRIPTURES!"
These rulers and lawyers of the Jewish religion in that day believed salvation came by the LAW!
However, obedience to the law alone cannot bring salvation!
For NO MAN can completely follow the law!!
Isaiah had said, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid onhim the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6)
"Him" meaning GOD! The "suffering Messiah!"

Isaiah had also said that God Himself was the ONLY SAVIOR!!
"I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour." (Isaiah 43:11)
Hosea had said almost the same thing.
"Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me." (Hosea 13:4)

It is not obedience to the law of God that saves!
See James 2:10.
It is obedience to the God of the law that saves!
Obedience to the law is what we try to do AFTER we have surrendered to the Lord Jesus!
And, praise God, when we "hear" (our intent is right), He forgives and helps us.
See 1John 1:9.

40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

Jesus knew their HEARTS!
Their hearts were brazen brass, and they would NOT surrender to Him as Lord!
The ONLY means of salvation they put aside because of their selfish interest!

41 I receive not honour from men.
42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

Jesus was certainly not seeking man's acclaim.
He had Himself said, "I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." (vs 30 above)
But the very fact that they did not BELIEVE Jesus exhibited the truth that they did not have "the love of God" IN them!

He came avowing that He was the Father's Son!
John the Baptist had told them He was the "Messiah!"
The Scriptures proved that Messiah would be God in a man!

But they would rather honor one another for being "good" than to surrender to Jesus Who is the ONLY "good" man!
Their desire for the acclaim of the world kept them from believing Jesus!

Is it not the same today?

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.