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Jesus Heals Cripple at Pool in John 5

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Read John chapter 5

Introduction: John 5 is a very spiritual chapter of the Bible that reveals the authority and divinity of Jesus Christ. In this chapter, we see Jesus performing miracles of healing, He confronts the religious leaders of the time, and solidifies His role as the Son of God. The chapter has four main sections, each section teaching a different aspect of Jesus’ ministry and His relationship with the Father. We will look at this chapter verse by verse to see what nuggets of truth we can glean from it and look closer at what it means for us today in year 2024.

I. The Healing at the Pool (John 5:1-15)
In these verses, Jesus comes across a man who has been a cripple for thirty-eight years at the Pool of Bethesda. Jesus heals the man, instructing him to take up his mat and walk. This miracle is a display of Jesus’ compassion and His power to heal.

Some other verses that relate to these verses are:

  • Isaiah 35:5-6, which speaks of the eyes of the blind being opened and the lame leaping like a deer, shows the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus’ healing.
  • Psalm 103:3, which declares that God forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases, highlights Jesus’ role as the divine healer.
  • Matthew 9:6, where Jesus tells the paralytic to take up his mat and walk, shows a similar healing miracle.
  • Acts 3:6, where Peter heals the lame man in the name of Jesus, illustrates the ongoing power of Jesus’ name to bring healing.

II. Jesus’ Authority and Equality with God (John 5:16-30)
The religious leaders are outraged by Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath and His claim to be the Son of God. Jesus responds by showing His authority and equality with the Father, pointing to the fact that He can do nothing apart from the Father.

Other verses that relate to these verses are:

  • Philippians 2:6, which states that Jesus was in the form of God but did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, echoes Jesus’ claim of equality with the Father.
  • Colossians 1:15, which describes Jesus as the image of the invisible God, supports Jesus’ assertion of His divine nature.
  • John 10:30, where Jesus says, “I and the Father are one,” reinforces His claim of equality with God.
  • Hebrews 1:3, which presents Jesus as the exact representation of God’s being, provides further evidence of Jesus’ divine authority.

III. The Testimony about Jesus (John 5:31-47)
Jesus shows that there are many witnesses to His identity and authority, including John the Baptist, the works He performs, the Father, and the Scriptures. Regardless of  this testimony, the religious leaders refuse to believe in Him.

Other verses that relate to these verses are:

  • Deuteronomy 19:15, which requires two or three witnesses to establish a matter, shows the validity of Jesus’ multiple witnesses.
  • John 1:7, which describes John the Baptist as a witness to the light, confirms John’s role as a witness to Jesus.
  • Acts 2:22, which mentions the miracles, wonders, and signs God did through Jesus, supports Jesus’ claim that His works testify about Him.
  • 2 Timothy 3:16, which states that all Scripture is God-breathed, underscores the importance of the Scriptures as a witness to Jesus.

IV. The Resurrection and Eternal Life (John 5:25-29)
Jesus speaks of a time in the future (when the prophecy of the Messiah is fulfilled) when the dead will hear His voice and come out of their graves to be judged. He comforts believers with the fact that those who believe in Him will have eternal life.

Other verses that relate to these verses are:

  • Daniel 12:2, which speaks of the resurrection of the dead, some to everlasting life and some to shame, foreshadows Jesus’ teaching on the resurrection and judgment.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:52, which describes the resurrection of the dead at the last trumpet, aligns with Jesus’ promise of a future resurrection.
  • John 11:25, where Jesus declares Himself to be the resurrection and the life, confirms His power over death and the grave.
  • Revelation 20:12, which mentions the dead being judged according to their deeds, echoes Jesus’ teaching on the final judgment.

Conclusion: In John 5, we see a clear picture of the authority of Jesus Christ, and His mission to bring healing, life, and salvation to the world. Through His miraculous healings, His bold statements of His divinity, and His promise of resurrection and eternal life, Jesus reveals Himself as the Son of God and the ultimate source of hope for all humanity. The chapter challenges believers everywhere to recognize Jesus’ authority and to believe in Him for eternal life.

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The Nicolaitans were a group mentioned in the book of Revelation in the New Testament, specifically in Revelation 2:6, 2:15. They were a heretical sect in the early Christian church that was condemned by Jesus in his messages to the churches of Ephesus and Pergamum. The exact beliefs and practices of the Nicolaitans are not clearly described in the Bible, but early church leaders such as Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria suggested that they promoted sexual immorality and the consumption of food sacrificed to idols. Some scholars believe that the Nicolaitans were followers of a false teacher named Nicolas, who may have been one of the original seven deacons appointed by the apostles in Acts 6:5. However, the exact identity and teachings of the Nicolaitans remain a matter of debate among theologians and historians.