More Than Just a Story - the Book of JohnNäide

Our journey through John 5 starts with a story at the pool of Bethesda - Bethesda coming from the Hebrew word for “House of Mercy”. People would come to this place to receive healing and miracles for their illnesses.

In this story in particular, we meet a man who had been sick for 38+ years and he was desperate for someone to help him into the pool so he could be healed. But as we continue to read, we learn that even though the man was looking to the pool for healing, Jesus was offering him true healing.

In verse 9, it says that Jesus healed the man on the day of Sabbath. This is important because the Law of Moses prohibited people from working on the Sabbath because it was holy. No one was to work, only to rest. Jesus healing this man on the Sabbath shows us His authority and His heart for people. But, God never stops working. I think we often forget that God is always moving and working on our behalf, even when we don’t see it or feel it.

This story showcases the character of God in that He isn’t one to walk away from or ignore someone who is in need. He is full of mercy and offers healing to those who say yes to Him. Jesus shows us in this story that He had the authority to heal on the Sabbath spiritually and physically and His heart for people was Him fulfilling the law - not breaking it.

I hope that we never lose sight of the mercy that God shows us daily and that we never tire of telling people about it!

How does knowing that Jesus healed on the Sabbath challenge the way you view His authority and heart for people?
In what areas of your life do you need to trust God’s mercy and healing instead of looking elsewhere for help?
How can you remind yourself daily that God is always working on your behalf?