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John 5

It’s not the happy people who are thankful…it is the thankful people who are happy!

In the first of John’s supporting signs, the presenting “need” or opportunity was brought to Jesus’ attention by a mother—HIS mother. “When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, ‘They have no wine.’” John 2 He has come that we might have joy!

In the second sign put forward by John, it was a desperate father who brought the need to the attention of the Savior. “When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to Him and asked Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.” John 4 He has come that we might have life!

So, first the appeal of a mother, then second an appeal of a father. But the next? “In these (five roofed colonnades) lay a multitude of invalids—One man was there who had been an invalid for 38 years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, He said to him, ‘Do you want to be healed?’” John 5

No one called out to Jesus. No one begged Him for intervention. No one appealed to Him to have mercy. No one drew His attention to the need. He simply knew. He simply cared. He simply came! He has come that we might have rest!

Three miracles accomplished, three human impossibilities become reality, simply by the authority of His word! The unfolding truth to be grasped? Jesus knows. If a mother reaches out for His help, He already knows. If a father desperately cries out for mercy, He already knows. If all hope is exhausted and despair has become a daily friend, even in this He already knows. And WHEN Jesus knows, He cares!

In the first sign, He commands the servants to fill the water pots and dip out the water.
In the second sign, He sends the desperate father home with a simple promise of life.
In this third, He instructs the 38-year invalid to get up and go home.

At the first sign, the observing disciples, who had only just begun to follow Him, believe.
At the second sign, the father and the entire family turn their hearts to Him and believe.
At the third? The man so undeserving, yet so blessed by the unsolicited kindness of the only One who could meet his need, was immediately accosted by the religious “kill-joys” who assaulted the restored with accusations of ritual violation. In the face of religious criticism, the recipient of unrequested and unmerited favor defends himself by pointing the finger at the Healer and ratting Him out to the hostile leaders!

His response was less than “commendable” when you consider the grace that he was given. Let’s just call it “The lame response of the lame man of Bethesda!”

  • Blaming the Healer
  • Siding with the opposition
  • But not a word of “belief”

He has come that we might have Joy, Life and Rest!
It’s not the happy people who are thankful…it is the thankful people who are happy!

See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom