‘After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda,[a] having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. [b] 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”
8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked’. John 5 v 1-9
‘’Faith is the substance of things hoped for,‘’ to hope is to desire with an expectation of obtaining .Faith is also ‘’evidence of things not seen ‘’, evidence is defined as an outward sign .So to have faith is to expect to have something which is desired and having to have proof of it happening , without first having to see it happen , that’s BELIEVING for something that is not there and acting as if its already there before it even exist . On the other hand is patience which is the ability to bear or withstand pains or trial with calm or without complaining about the situation .The man on the pool of Bethesda had patience, being able to wait for 38 years for a chance to become the first to get into the pool when the Angel of the Lord stirred the waters .His mind had already been set , one day he was going to be first in that pool or he was going to spend his life trying .What he had, he knew was not a good thing to have for it gave him trouble and he desired to be well despite all odds being against him . God had placed a will and desire to be well in him.
In verse 7 of John 5 the invalid replies, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. We all need somebody to help us in our lives. The invalid was looking around his environment based upon his response which is a normal thing .On the other hand he had no idea for him to be made well he needed God not a formula and he was in the presence of God himself , by the time Jesus is done with him everything in his life will be changed and life will never be the same again, he had no idea God has more than one way of performing miracles or taking care of the problem , something he had never seen or experienced , something beyond the normal .When God deals with your troubles everything changes not even a single thing will remain .God told the children of Israel that the Egyptians you see today you will see them no more, this was hard to believe especially when the great and mighty army of pharaoh was after them they could not defend themselves , nowhere to turn ,trapped in every sense of the word .To increase his chances of going into the pool first assistance from somebody who was not subjected to the same conditions as him was required . The helper wasn’t supposed to be blind, sick, or paralyzed, he was supposed to have swift reflexes and be always alert.
What happens in verse 8 is incredible, Jesus commands him to rise up from his limitations, from something he had battled with for a long time. In verse 9 we see a transformation from being a man of patience to a man of faith. The bible says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10 v 7). Jesus being the Son of God speaks the will of the father, so when he opens his mouth it’s not Him but the Almighty Himself speaking. ’’My meat is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work ‘’ (John 4 v 34). The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (Luke 4 v18), that’s the mandate of Jesus, why He was sent on this Earth.
In Luke 4 it says it was customary for Jesus to go to the synagogue to teach on a Sabbath. On this day He decides to go first to the pool of Bethesda, which means House of Mercy. John 5 v3 records that there was a great number of people who needed healing, but there was a particular one which Jesus wanted, not the rest and when He saw him, He knew he was the one .The one that had no one to help him, the one who was so poor, the one who had trouble for a long time, the one every time he tried to get up somebody was already ahead of him. When God has you on His mind, he won’t settle for anybody else, He wants to deal with you only. It doesn’t matter how long you been oppressed, how long you have struggle or how many times you have failed, or how many Everest’s have to be moved , this is a God moment. Mercy is when compassion is shown to an offender or a subject. It’s not something that you have to earn but is given to you. Jesus represents mercy and here He is entering the House of Mercy, that’s double the mercy. Mercy and grace, the terms have a similar meaning we are in 2015 a year of double grace, so also double mercy. The Lord is on your case in 2015 it’s your year of miracles, breakthroughs, and restoration. The Lord is saying ‘’I am about to do something in your life that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle’’, (1 Samuel 3 v 11). GET UP AND WALK. Even the bed sores won’t trouble you, total healing. The Lord is encouraging you like he did to Joshua, do not let the book of Law depart from your mouth, walk in the ways of the Lord always. Time to shift gears, more prayer, more bible reading ,more meditation , more dependence on God .The life that we live for we live for Christ , time to do the Lord’s will, time to lay down our selfish ambitions. The Lord will not give you something you can’t handle and end up destroy you, be prepared the time is coming , be prepared for what His about to do .
On the same day Jesus speaks of His mandate in Luke 4 v 18-19 (The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor .He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” ) , He chooses to be practical .Jesus proclaims good news ,Rise up take your bed and walk .That’s the best news this man has heard in 38 years , good news is coming to you before this year is over .It’s not subjected to what your current environment looks like .He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor ,it doesn’t matter if you are the least ,even if you cannot afford to hire bouncers to throw you in the pool or you think you have sinned beyond redemption ,no place or sin the blood of Jesus cannot reach .The Lord is concerned about your every need , it doesn’t matter how small or big you think it is .GET UP AND WALK .Being poor means being in want , needy, bondage or dependence .We all need someone to lean of , someone to draw strength and hope from ,38 years is a long time it takes all the strength in you .My Hope is in the Lord , he renews my strength , I will sow on like an eagle (even though I don’t have wings) , I will run and not get tired , I will walk and not faint. You have come a long way to miss this, walk in the ways of the Lord .38 years is a long time to be in bondage, you are coming out, the devil is a liar. Apostle Paul say’s ‘’Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His mighty, Put on the full armour of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6 v 10-11).
It’s so heart breaking having to seek healing or a need for such a long time, having an expectation every time the Angel comes down only to be disappointed, or having to struggle with the same issues, addictions , problems over and over again. When Jesus visits, you will get more than you bargained for ,this man got the full package in Luke 4 v 18-19 , healing , deliverance , freedom, good news ,understanding (sight).What you thought you want was not what you really need , You don’t need someone to throw you in the pool , you need Jesus .God knows exactly what you want just trust Him listen to His voice , GET UP AND WALK. Here comes the revelation, ‘’to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour ‘’ (Luke 4 v 19) the year 2015. Who is the men who said take up your bed and walk (John 5 v 12), know the source. ‘’Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing ‘’ (Luke 4 v 21). Now you know, The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who made him well.
Still confused what is happening? , then this is for you…
IS SOMETHING MISSING: JESUS IS CALLING YOU
For some time you have been feeling this void or emptiness like something is missing in your life .You have tried to fill that void with anything the World could throw at you but without any success You even tried visit that popular Prophet from Nigeria, you even been to church but could not find what you were looking for , you played religion but could still not understand, you tried to fill it with drinking but it feels as if it can’t be filled , much like a bottomless pit , maybe you got so low that you wanted to kill yourself and failed also or you just about to give up hope .I have got a word for you today DO NOT GIVE UP, today is your day to begin afresh , a new start , a new life .Jesus is on your case and today He is going to pay you a personal visit. He doesn’t care what you been through ,what you did before ,he doesn’t care if you have messed it up for a long time , 38 years or 12 , how many times you tried to get up but failed he doesn’t mind because today He is going to qualify you to do His will .The past that keeps on appearing , the past that can’t give up ,today its going because you are a new creation .Everyone around you might have given up on you or rejected you, mom ,dad ,wife , brother ,sister ,girlfriends , friends or even yourself, God is on your case right now and He won’t give up on you .Today is the day for your salvation , today you get to celebrate because when Jesus visits you everything is changed .Say goodbye to sorrow ,anxiety , depression whatever is holding you back .Jesus says ,’’I came so that you might have life , in abundance (John 10 v 10 ).Get up from whatever is holding you back ,Jesus’ hand is outstretched towards you .Pick up your sleeping mate and walk , Jesus is calling you to a new life .Romans 10 v 9 says ‘’If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved’’.
Pray with me this prayer, Lord Jesus I thank you for giving me the opportunity .From today I make you my Lord and personal saviour .I believe in my heart that God raised you from the dead, by your death my sins were forgiven , I believe you will equip me with the qualities and tools that will help me live this new life .I believe that you will walk with me along the journey and I commit myself to follow you. In the name of Jesus Amen.
Congratulations, you are now a new creation in Jesus Christ .Please find a bible believing church near you where you can fellowship with other believers. May the grace and peace of God be with you.